Museum
Hilprecht Collection
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The Hilprecht Collection, housed at Friedrich Schiller University in Jena, is a remarkable museum dedicated to the ancient Near East. It holds one of Germany's most significant assemblages of cuneiform tablets, along with seals, pottery, and other artifacts from Mesopotamia. Visitors can view original Sumerian, Akkadian, and Babylonian inscriptions that offer insights into early writing, administration, and daily life. The collection is named after Hermann Hilprecht, a German-American archaeologist who assembled many of the pieces during excavations at Nippur. The museum's intimate setting allows for close examination of the tablets, with informative displays explaining the script and historical context. It's a must-see for anyone fascinated by the cradle of civilization.
Don't miss
- See original cuneiform tablets from Sumer and Babylon
- Examine ancient cylinder seals and their impressions
- Learn about the decipherment of cuneiform script
- View artifacts from the temple library at Nippur
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