The vertebrae (kunukkū, lit. "seal (impression)," logogram KIŠIB.MEŠ) [[200]] In the Sargonid reports and queries, a 'standard' observation is nahsū (written LAL.MEŠ), "recessed," or the like.[[201]] Note, exceptionally, "a vertebra is recessed on the left," nos. 43 r.14 and 63:11, and "the vertebrae are visible," 317:15 (KIŠIB.MEŠ IGI.IGI-ru).[[202]]
The traditional translation of kunukkū, "vertebra," is not entirely accurate. K 3978+ ii 17f gives us the following description: "If you have before you the 'vertebrae' (KIŠIB.MEŠ), flesh 'riding' upon the backbone and 'bound' to the joints of the ribs on the left and on the right, its name is 'vertebrae'." In the light of this passage, taken literally, kunukkū appears to refer to the fleshy covering of the backbone.[[203]]
200 E.g. JCS 11 100 no.11:20 (ku-nu-uk-kum i-mi-it-tam e-te-eq) and no. 9:14 (ku-nu-uk-ku imittam a-ta-ar, fragm. dupl. JCS 21 225 J:20). For the MB reports see, e.g., JCS 37 191.
201 E.g., nos. 9 r.9 and 227 s.1. For a discussion of the verb nahāsu, see Starr Rituals, p. 65f; for the relevant apodosis (unfavorable), see KAR 423 r. ii 51.
202 Cf. JCS 37 150:49, ku-nu-uk-ku na-an-mu-ru (MB report). Note also the OB observation ku-nu-uk-ku mi-it-ha-ru, "the vertebrae are equal (in size?)," JCS 11 p. 93 no. 23:10.
203 See Kraus, JCS 37 (1985) 190f; cf. Nougayrol, RA 44 (1950) 6 and RA 66 (1972) 94f.
Ivan Starr
Ivan Starr, 'The Vertebrae (kunukkū)', Queries to the Sungod: Divination and Politics in Sargonid Assyria, SAA 4. Original publication: Helsinki, Helsinki University Press, 1990; online contents: SAAo/SAA04 Project, a sub-project of MOCCI, 2020 [http://oracc.org/saao/saa04/otherpartsandfeaturesoftheexta/thevertebrae/]