"I Am Enheduanna" THE WORLD'S FIRST AUTHOR WAS A WOMAN AND A HYMNIST TO THE GODDESS. DISCOVER HOW SHE WROTE HER WAY INTO HISTORY BOOKS IN THIS ONLINE EXHIBIT.

Cuneiform was found in many forms, including on specially designed nails used in the building of temples. Enheduanna's words may have been written in this form of cuneiform since she wrote so many hymns for temples.

They are cone-shaped clay objects that are dried and baked the same way cuneiform tablets are but these are inserted into the foundation of temples as they are built.

They are meant to mark the sacredness of the temple and to spiritually dedicate the temple to the deity or deities that it serves.

SOURCES:

Cuneiform Nail for Temple

Minassian, Kirkor, Former Owner, and Kirkor Minassian Collection. Votive cone inscription, Cuneiform tablet no. 26. [Between 2144 and 2124 b.c] Image. https://www.loc.gov/item/2020741395/.

"Sumerian Cone or Clay Nail." n.d. Joy of Museums Virtual Tours. Accessed April 25, 2022. https://joyofmuseums.com/museums/united-states-of-america/philadelphia-museums/penn-museum/historical-objects-of-the-penn-museum/sumerian-cone-or-clay-nail/.

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Diverse Creations in Cuneiform

Cuneiform Nail Number 26.
Photo credit: Library of Congress./Kirkor Minassian Collection

"I Am Enheduanna"
THE WORLD'S FIRST AUTHOR WAS A WOMAN AND A HYMNIST TO THE GODDESS.
DISCOVER HOW SHE WROTE HER WAY INTO HISTORY BOOKS IN THIS ONLINE EXHIBIT.

Diverse Creations in Cuneiform

Meet Enheduanna

Welcome

Meet Enheduanna

The Power of Ancient Writings

Excavation of UR

The Exaltation of Inanna

Enheduanna's Enduring Legacy

Modern Mesopotamia

Parting Prayer

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