1900-1700 BC. A part of a clay tablet containing a Sumerian hymn to the sun god Utu with a Babylonian translation; accompanied by a typed and signed scholarly note by the late W.G. Lambert, Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Portion of Clay Tablet, 72 x 65 mm., with Bilingual Literary Text. This is part of a four-column tablet of Old Babylonian date, c. 1900-1700 B.C. Some 13 lines of Column I remain, from the middle of the column, nothing of Column II, only the first sign or two of some 12 lines of Column III (on the reverse) and 12 lines of Column IV. The text is part of a Sumerian hymn to the sun-god Utu, with Babylonian translation. Only columns I and IV can be translated: Column I: Utu, might warrior among mankind, king, bison who strides along in the land, Utu, bison, who strides along in the land [... Column IV ... creation of Enlil which is put at his feet, Utu .... and built his temple. The temple which he established was not destroyed. [.......] of Ningal [ ... This is addition to the small number of Old Babylonian bilingual literary texts. Sumerian was mainly used in learning at this time, though Babylonian was the normal spoken language on the streets. Thus scribal schools normally copied out Sumerian literary texts, and only rarely was a translation into the vernacular provided. But this is one of such. So far it seems that there is no other duplicate copy known of this text, but with further discoveries and study other copies may turn up and allow more complete text to be established.' 173 grams, 71mm (2 3/4"). Ex central London gallery; acquired on the UK art market in 1998; formerly from an old London collection; accompanied by a copy of a typed and signed scholarly note and translation by the late W.G. Lambert, Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993 and also a copy of an earlier unsigned note for this tablet. [No Reserve]