An Evaluation on Kudurrus and Their Functions in Near East Archaeology

Year 2021, Volume: 11 Issue: 21, 21 - 48, 29.01.2021

Çağatay Yücel , Umut Parlıtı

https://doi.org/10.33207/trkede.753175

Abstract

Kudurru is the name given to inscribed and figurative stones which determine the boundaries of land donated by Kings to vassals in Southern Mesopotamia between 16-12 BC. However, studies conducted in recent years reveal that these stones are not used functionally in the lands, though they show that they define the lands. Copies of these boundary stones of dark limestone measuring between 40 and 90 cm have been stored in the temples. These three-dimensional stones are in written and illustrated form; its cylindrical form is tapered at the upper point and expands towards the base. The fact that the Kudurrus have little place in the scientific sources in Turkish literature triggers us to conduct an in-depth study of these boundary stones. This article tries to convey the information about the dynasty they emerged in Babylonian rule, the economic policies in their emergence, their purpose, their distribution area. The ancient Mesopotamian pantheon has also been tried to be examined through animals and objects engraved on the Kudurrus. In addition, questions such as why the Kudurrus have disappeared are tried to be answered.

Keywords

Kudurru, Land Donation, Curse, Kassit, Isin the Second

Yakindoğu Arkeolojisinde Kudurrular ve İşlevleri Üzerine Bir Değerlendirme

Abstract

Kudurru, Güney Mezopotamya’da MÖ 16-12. yüzyıllar arasında krallar tarafından vasallara bağışlanan arazi sınırlarının belirlendiği yazılı ve betimleme taşıyan taşlara verilen addır. Ancak son yıllarda yapılan çalışmalar bu taşların arazileri tanımladıklarını gösterse de işlevsel olarak arazilerde kullanılmadıklarını ortaya koymaktadır. Koyu kireç taşından, 40 ile 90 cm arasında ölçülere sahip söz konusu sınır taşlarının birer kopyaları tapınaklarda saklanmaktaydı. Üç boyutlu bu taşlar yazılı ve resimli olmakla birlikte silindirik formu üst noktada sivrilmekte, kaideye doğru genişlemektedir. Kudurruların Türkçe bilimsel kaynaklarda çok az yer edinmesi, bizleri bu sınır taşlarını derinlemesine bir çalışmaya itmiştir. Bu makalede kudurruların Babil yönetiminde hangi hanedanlık döneminde ortaya çıktığı, ortaya çıkmasındaki ekonomik politikaların neler olduğu, amacının tam olarak ne olduğu, yayılım alanın nereler olduğu aktarılmaya çalışılmıştır. Kudurrular üzerine işlenen hayvanlar ve nesneler aracılığıyla, Eski Mezopotamya panteonu irdelenmeye çalışılmıştır. Ayrıca kudurruların neden sürdürülemeyerek ortadan kaldırıldığı gibi sorulara da yanıt aranmıştır.

Keywords

Kudurru, Arazi Bağışı, Lanet, Kassit, II. İsin

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