π ΄π Sumerian
Sumerian is the earliest extensively attested written language, recorded in cuneiform in ancient Mesopotamia. Itβs foundational for studying early cities, administration, and literature like hymns and myths.
Family: Language isolatePeriod: c. 3100 BCE β 1st millennium BCE (as a literary/learned language)
Region: Southern Mesopotamia (modern southern Iraq)
c. 3100 BCE β 1st millennium BCE (as a literary/learned language)
Link legend: links marked β(archived)β open an Internet Archive snapshot because the original site is down or unreliable.
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Typing help
Cuneiform is typically handled via copy/paste or sign lists rather than everyday typing.
Dictionaries
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Pennsylvania Sumerian Dictionary
- Format: PDF
- Notes: The download links for the PDF files appear to be broken, but you can still use it online.
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- Format: PDF
- Notes: Seems to have a lot of wordsβ¦
Grammars
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Introduction to Sumerian Grammar
- Format: PDF
- Notes: An older text, but still very helpful.
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- Notes: A brief introduction with some grammar topics.
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The Origin of the Sumerian Language
- Format: PDF
- Notes: Not so much grammar, but still useful for placing the language in the proper context.
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- Notes: A collection of lessons from Wikibooks. Check it out!
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- Notes: Itβs an online course for learning Sumerian; youβll have to create an account, though.
Charts & Aids
(Nothing here.)
Texts
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Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative
- Notes: Links to many different holdings of cuneiform items.
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- Notes: With transcriptions, translations, and photos.
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Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature
- Notes: With different ways to search.
Other Resources
- Sumerian Grammar Bibliography
- Format: PDF
- Notes: Very comprehensive.
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