Luis R. Siddall, Carla A. Raymond and Joseph J. Bevitt

A tablet from Nimrud, which is encased in an inscribed clay envelope IA5.074 (ND 3430), was imaged at the Australian Synchrotron Imaging Medical Beamline (IMBL). This confirmed that there was a cuneiform tablet inside the envelope, the text of which could be read. The paper provides the details of the imaging, describes the tomography, offers a reading of the enclosed tablet and comments on the variation between the text on the envelope and tablet and the significance of this for Assyrian contract law.

Luis R. Siddall, Wayne Horowitz and Peter Zilberg

The paper identifies 16 bullae held by the Australian Institute of Archaeology, Israel Museum, Jerusalem, the Otago Museum, Dunedin, and Nicholson Museum at the University of Sydney that have a shared date and provenance. It discusses the nature of the Institute’s bullae and identifies the provenance and accession paths to their respective institutions. They date specifically to either year 6 or 7 of the reign of Samsuiluna, King of Babylon (1744–1743 BC, middle chronology) and they come from the Old Babylonian city of Lagaba.

Carla A. Raymond and Joseph J. Bevitt

​

The research undertaken on the mummified animal (IA1.2402) to establish its authenticity, identity, age and provenance is described. A combination of established and novel non-destructive imaging techniques, including X-ray computed tomography (CT) and neutron computed tomography (NCT) made possible a detailed study of the mummy’s content, which was found to be a partial skeleton of a juvenile cat. Use of both techniques allowed for dual contrast and complementary study of bones, soft tissue, and textile components. NCT provided valuable insights into wrapping techniques used in the mummification process. Acquisition of radiocarbon dates provided quantitative results to compare with morphological observations and conclusions based on partiality of the contents. All techniques were employed to better define and profile the specimen within its historical, social and religious contexts, while causing as little physical disruption as possible

Christopher J. Davey

Two papers about the introduction of the spritsail during the Roman-period in previous editions of Buried History are updated with additional references and hypotheses. A revised interpretation of Problem 7 in the Aristotelian corpus Mekhanika is given but the foregoing proposition that the introduction of spritsails made sailing to windward routine for Roman merchant sailing ships is retained. It is suggested that extremes of wind strength were the main inhibitors of windward sailing because it reduced boat speed, which in turn diminished lateral resistance and increased leeway. 

Jodie L. Mitchell and Soren Blau

​

In 1954, Walter Beasley, the founder of the Australian Institute of Archaeology (the Institute), financially supported a young Australian archaeologist, G.R.H. Wright, to excavate tombs at Tauchira, near modern Tocra, and Euesperides, in present day Benghazi, Libya.  Excavations produced artefacts some of which were sent to the Institute for its museum collection.  This paper alerts scholars to the Institute’s holdings from the excavations at Tauchira and Euesperides.