YBC 04143

Nabû-zēru-iddin/Ṣillāya (NZI) has approached (alāku ana pāni) Innin-šarru-uṣur/Nergal-ušallim (IŠU) to ask him to be installed (ṣabāṭu or izzuzu Š) for gardening work (nukaribbūtu) and to conduct work (dullu epēšu). The garden is located in the estate (šīḫu) of the Lady of Uruk at the bank of the (tp)Royal Canal (nār šarri) (and stretches) from the opening of the (tp)New Canal (nāru eššu) to the opening of the upper (tp)Canal of Bīt-il (nāru ša Bīt-il). IŠU listened to him and installed him (in this position). NZI will bring his 2 brothers to conduct work together with him in the garden of Nergal-ušallim (father of IŠU). They will break up (or: weed, dekû) the mayāru-land, bring the taptû-land into cultivation (petû D), remove (dekû) shrubbery (abattu), protect (naṣāru) the shoots (libbu) and fronds (ḫarû) (of the date palms), and plant (šakānu) willows (ḫilpu) at the canals. NZI guarantees for the work of his 2 brothers. All the arable land (zēru) that was (previously) fallow land (apītu), and that they clear (nasāku) from shrubbery and cultivate (erēšu) will belong to them (pānu dagālu) for 5 years. For their (gardening) work under the date palms, they will have the usufruct (akālu) of 1/6 of the date (harvest). In the first year, IŠU will give them 6;0 barley, 0;0.2 cress (saḫlû), 0;0.2. sesame, 0;0.2 salt, 5 minas of wool, 3 iron spades, 1 iron axe (qulmû), and 1 iron sickle (niggallu). A contravener (of this contract) (nabalkattānu) will pay 1 mina of silver.

10 witnesses (8 in the list on the reverse, 2 on the left edge).

Scribe: Ibni-Ištar/Rēmūtu

A part of this contract (NZIʼs request) is phrased as a dialogue.