SG1 Girsu (Tello): Cat-Bird Macehead (2600-2300 BCE)

Cat-Bird Grasping 2 Lions

The head of the cat-bird is directly under text section 10 and 11. This is the Sumerian Motion power connective deity. As such it calls fate and normally keeps everything on time.

Drawing of Top Text

It reads:

  1. AN loves the Lady (INANNA),
  2. Their domain sings-up food.
  3. Deities are earth-controllers,
  4. Connections are being fitted by their songs.
  5. Motion-Powers are making wealthy the earth, 
  6. from milking the wind/spirit powers.
  7. Heavenly-bodies command the earth,
  8. Their omens indicate drought.
  9. The cat-birds issue-orders,
  10. They are the fate-callers.
  11. (While) earth-controlling deities are arranging the fabric (life-network),
  12. take heed of the fabric of the silvery-ones' spiritual-connections

(Jan 7, 2023) Now at the British Museum. Museum number 23287. Acquired in 1897 from a collector who claims it came from Tell Telloh (Ancient Girzu) in southern Iraq.  Hole diameter: 2.20 centimeters, Diameter: 11 centimeters, Height: 11.70 centimeters. The Sumerian city of Gizu means "Cow.Wisdom" so it must have been renowned for its large cattle herds.

Online at: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/W_1897-0514-1

Watch a wonderful unlisted YouTube British Museum Membership video about new excavations at Girsu if you allow marketing cookies at the British Museum site: https://www.britishmuseum.org/membership/events/excavations-girsu

Sumerian (SG 1.1)

(verb at end so statement)
  1. AN  NIN 
  2. X.29

English Translation

  1. AN Lady (INANNA)
  2. Loves

Sumerian (SG 1.2)

  1. E2 5 U2.SI 

English Translation

  1. (Their) Domain food.from_singing for the 5

Sumerian (SG 1.3)

(verb in middle so ongoing form)
  1. EN.AN DU.KI

English Translation

  1. Deities are earth.controllers

Sumerian (SG 1.4)

(verb in middle so ongoing form)
  1. PA X24 SI

English Translation

  1. Connections are being fitted by the songs 

Sumerian (SG 1.5)

(verb in middle so ongoing form)
  1. NA.X22  LA  KI
  2. GA  X25

English Translation

  1. Motion-Powers (Spiritual-Connections.different) are making wealthy the earth 
  2. by milking the wind

Sumerian (SG 1.6)

(verb in middle so ongoing form)
  1. EZEN  A  X14

English

  1. Feasts are moving-towards fullness

Sumerian (SG 1.7)

(verb at end so statement)
  1. X27 KI X28

English

  1. Heavenly-bodies command the earth

Sumerian (SG 1.8)

(verb at end so statement)
  1. SUKKAL LI

English

  1. Omens indicate drought

ŠE.ŠA = LI (verb) graneries.empty = drought

Sumerian (SG 1.9)

  1. X30  X28.TAR

English

  1. Cat-Birds issue-orders [command.decision]

Sumerian (SG 1.10)

(verb at beginning so imperative)
  1. LUGAL NI

English

  1. They are the fate-callers

Sumerian (SG 1.11)

  1. EN.AN DU.KI
  2. MA2 TUG2

English Translation

  1. Deities (lord.divine) earth.controlling
  2. are gathering the fabric (life-network)

Sumerian (SG 1.12)

(verb in middle so ongoing form)
  1. A.MU  TUG2  KUG
  2. NA

English Translation

  1. Take heed of the fabric of the silvery-ones'
  2. spiritual-connections