Recently Discovered 3,000-Year-Old Babylonian Document Unveils Perspectives on Women’s Functions in Historical Society
Once a vibrant center for culture and politics, the ancient city of Babylon was established around 2,000 BCE in what is currently Iraq. Presently, its ruins—designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site—are situated approximately 85 kilometers (52 miles) south of Baghdad, still serving as an intriguing site for exploration. Through the years, archaeologists have revealed common artifacts and urban designs that have enhanced our understanding of this historical civilization. Nevertheless, it is the multitude of cuneiform tablets that have significantly illuminated the complexities of Babylonian existence. Recently, scholars have effectively utilized AI to reconstruct ancient cuneiform fragments that are part of the same long-forgotten text.
Anmar A. Fadhil from the University of Baghdad, along with Dr. Enrique Jiménez, a professor of Ancient Near Eastern Literatures at LMU’s Institute of Assyriology, digitized all cuneiform text fragments discovered around the globe. Their team employed artificial intelligence to decode inscribed fragments that are related, which led to the revelation of a lost hymn. Jiménez states, “With our AI-supported platform, we were able to identify 30 additional manuscripts that are associated with the rediscovered hymn—a task that would have previously required decades.”
The preserved tablet fragments from the 7th to the 1st centuries BCE provide captivating insights into Babylonian life and ideals. The hymn honors the natural allure of Babylon, proclaiming that the city “thrives in her glories,” similar to a bountiful fruit garden. It also emphasizes significant features of the city, such as the Euphrates River; its celestial body (the “Star of Marduk,” named after its patron deity); its majestic entrance; the defensive wall Imgur-Enlil; and its monarch, Alulu. Scholars suggest the rediscovered hymn was so widely recognized and cherished that it was likely memorized by schoolchildren.
The esteemed hymn even offers perspectives on the lives and roles of Babylonian women. Researchers were astonished to discover references to priestesses and their responsibilities—details absent in any previously known writings. The hymn also sheds light on harmonious living within urban communities. For instance, the residents are characterized as being courteous to outsiders. The text even mentions the divine trio of Anu, Enlil, and Ea—three of Babylon’s most potent deities—alongside the essential elements of water, fire, and air, which the Babylonians considered to be the fundamental components of the universe.
Jiménez believes his group has to date recovered two-thirds of the original text, while the remaining third awaits discovery. Discover more about this remarkable finding in the report published by Cambridge University Press.