Sumerian "Tokens" Terracotta Ball with Seal Impressions, c. 3300 -3000 B. C.

(Terracotta Rattle)

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Item No.
32.36973
Culture
Sumerian, c. 3300 -3000 B. C. 
Item Details.
Hollow, still containing rattling tokens, usually plain terracotta or stone of various shapes, the surface sealed with various animals, some now faded.

Tokens were a form of data storage or transmission. Researchers studying Sumerian clay balls have discovered clues to a lost code that was used for record-keeping years before Sumerians invented writing. The clay balls may represent the world's very first data storage system. The balls, often called "envelopes" by researchers, were sealed and contain tokens in a variety of geometric shapes

Provenance: Private collection Mr AK, London, acquired in the 1980’s.

Size
5.2 cm D - 2 1/16 inches
Material
Terracotta 
Condition
Intact 
Categories
Near East
Price.
US$ 5500
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