Texts 118-129 are lists or inventories which could not be classified in one of the preceding groups because they include a variety of items. In no. 118 with its stones, horses, and workdays in three separate sections, this association seems merely to reflect totally unconnected matters jotted down for convenience on a single tablet, but in the majority of texts there seems to be a repetitive association of food (including animals), wine, textiles, shoes and other leather items, and occasional other things, which cannot be coincidental. As with the precious metal texts, we have placed first the fragments of multi-column tablets (nos. 120-123), several of them very small. In their broken state, they offer few clues to the administrative context of the lists. More revealing, because more nearly complete, are some of the single-column texts. No. 127 is the most explicit: textiles, shoes and precious metals given to the Urarṭian ambassadors, followed with a note of silver tribute bowls and a silver ring. Here we are clearly in the same environment as the precious metal texts from the reign of Sargon (nos. 57 and 58). The character of this "package" of items, issued to distinguished visitors, provides a possible explanation for similar, less explicit, texts. Thus no. 126 mentions packages which include precious metals and stones, textiles, a horse, chariot and arrows, in association with a number of Assyrian officials; but it does not tell us whether they are the recipients or the givers. The same doubt could afflict us with the laconic note no. 128, and virtually all the fragments of longer account tablets. Nevertheless, where food and drink are combined with items of personal attire like shoes and hats, it is clear these assemblages are very much associated with the individual persons involved, and one is forcefully reminded of the sandals and other supplies issued to envoys in the Mari texts. We need not be surprised to find these texts in our archive, if they reflect palace hospitality for visiting dignitaries and high officials.
F.M. Fales & J.N. Postgate
F.M. Fales & J.N. Postgate, 'Miscellaneous Commodities', Imperial Administrative Records, Part I: Palace and Temple Administration, SAA 7. Original publication: Helsinki, Helsinki University Press, 1992; online contents: SAAo/SAA07 Project, a sub-project of MOCCI, 2021 [http://oracc.org/saao/saa07/inventoriesreceiptsanddisbursements/miscellaneouscommodities/]