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I offer a cuneiform transliteration and translation service, provided by an academic Assyriologist through me.

This covers inscribed tablets, cones, bricks, plaques, vessels and inscribed cylinder seals inter alia.


Photographs

Working from good pics is perfectly feasible: light should come from the upper left corner at about a 45 degree angle in order to cast shadows into the wedges.

Use a directional light, not overall overhead lighting. If you are unsure which way is “up” ask me!

 

JPEGs saved in low resolution (72ppi), about c. 500 pixels high for objects up to 3inches tall; larger objects would need several photos.

For inscribed seals, an appropriately illuminated photo of the seal impression is also needed.

 

Authenticity.

It is generally possible to make statements about authenticity of inscribed clay tablets, cones, and bricks, even from a photo. 

However, the authenticity of engraved stone or metal cannot be guaranteed in this way so no statement about authenticity can be offered for seals, or vessels

 

Prices  

 

PLEASE NOTE: As from  March 2008 I have been obliged to add 17.5% VAT to these fees for people within the EU.

So, the prices shown in brackets here are inclusive of VAT for EU residents but the lower price is for the rest of the world.

 

TABLETS/FOUNDATION CONES/ BRICKS etc

 

•  A foundation cone, stamped brick, or short votive inscriptions on objects.

Full transliteration and translation. £35  (£41.13)

 

 

• Basic reading of a tablet : period, language, general description of contents, remarks on interesting names, the name of the person mentioned on any sealing impressions, date, or other features

 (Not full transliteration and translation) £25  (£29.38)

 

• Typical short URIII or OB administrative tablet: 

Full transliteration and translation.  £60  (£70.50)

 

•  Average longer/more complex administrative/contract tablet:

Full transliteration and translation £85  (£99.98)

 

•  For anything else (literary, lexical, large and difficult tablets or very large cones etc.) you would get a quote.

 

SEALS .

 

No definite statement about authenticity can be offered for seals.

 

• A seal inscription: from either a seal or from a impression on a tablet.

Full transliteration and translation  £45 (£52.88)

 

 

 

If your piece is thought to be fake: 

 

TABLETS/FOUNDATION CONES/ BRICKS etc

 

For producing a basic description of the item if it is thought to be a fake or pastiche. £19 (£22.33)

Particular “errors” would be commented upon.

 

SEALS

 

You get a full transliteration and translation of the inscription, including a note about any errors/variations in the inscription.

We cannot go into iconographic and thematic details to any extent; the emphasis is on the inscriptions as such.

The full fee would be charged, £45 (£52.88)

 

 

To encourage collectors to have their cuneiform artefacts properly read we offer a small discount if you have six or more pieces to send for reading at the same time.

The basic readings , for  examples are reduced from £25 each to £19  (£22.33)

 

 

How you can help 

 

I would very much like to place some of the images of the pieces (or just the text parts, if collectors would prefer not to have their pieces shown) on my website along with the reading work. 

This would allow us to develop a database which would help us cuneiform illiterates to start learning to recognise the commonly found sign groups.

 When you get in touch with me please let me know one way or the other. Attribution to you by name, by your membership ID or anonymously: whatever you prefer. 

 

Academic databases and Publication  

 

If the piece is of academic importance and interest the translator requests that you would agree to allow the images/inscription to be recorded for eventual publication, so the new information is made available to scholars.  

 

Over100 pieces read in the first year of this service! 

 

 

 

 

Contact me if you would like to use the service.

I will let you know if your pics are suitable.

 

 Cheers,

Bron.

 

Worked on cuneiform foundation cones