H, BM76505
The tablet originally contained four columns, most likely holding the text of the first tab-
let of MUL.APIN. The script is Neo-Babylonian, and is written in a small but neat style
with signs ranging from 2.5mm to 3.5mm in height. The lines of text are roughly linear,
but the horizontal direction of the text tends upwards to the right of the tablet.^222 A hori-
zontal ruling closes the section of the tablet that list the stars of Ea. Other horizontal rul-
ings, only visible in otherwise blank spaces on the tablet, were perhaps guide lines for
writing. The bottom edge of the obverse has a ruled margin, and there appears to be at
least one ruled line separating the columns on the obverse and on the reverse. The tablet
is relatively flat on the obverse and slightly convex on the reverse side. It is of standard
thickness, approximately 1.7cm to 2cm thick at the left edge, and approaching 3cm thick
at the centre. The clay shows some impurities in the form of dark stones, and there are
some fractures in the cross section. The clay appears to have been fired in antiquity, and
is typically terracotta tending towards bone coloured throughout, with some greenish
tinges in certain areas indicating higher firing temperatures.^223 The tablet was acquired by
the British Museum before 1894, as can be judged by its catalogue number, though any
other information on its provenience is unknown.
(^222) The same tendency is noted for K6558+Sm1907 (tablet GG) and K160 (tablet C of the sources for EAE
63). See also the comments in note below. 223
Tablets that display greenish-white colouration were probably baked in antiquity as these colours indi-
cate very hot temperatures. See the comments in (EAE63 note 13).