ISTANBUL 2: A hieroglyphic fragment from Tabal in the Haluk Perk Collection

Abstract

The article publishes an unprovenanced fragment of a stele housed in the Haluk Perk Museum in Istanbul. Palaeography and manner of inscription suggest an origin in the eighth century BC in the region known to the Neo-Assyrians as Tabal. The new text is largely incomprehensible due to its fragmentary state, as well as the fact that it contains otherwise unattested words and signs. However, in one case, a rare combination of signs persuades us to revise the reading of part of another recently published hieroglyphic document from the same period and area. The Istanbul text appears to contain a historical narrative relating to a warlike encounter. The article presents the text in hand-copy, photo, transliteration and translation, as well as supplying a detailed philological commentary.