The Qurra Papyrus - Oriental Institute No. 13755, 91 AH / 709 CE

Islamic Awareness

First Composed: 3rd December 2005

Last Modified: 5th December 2005

Assalamu ʿalaykum wa rahamatullahi wa barakatuhu:

(a)

(b)

Figure: (a) Picture of the papyrus and (b) the content of the papyrus.

[] encloses letters supplied to fill a lacuna.

Date

Muḥarram, 91 AH / November 9 - December 8, 709 CE.

Size

46 cm x 21.6 cm. Medium brown, very fine papyrus. The beginning is broken off and missing; part of the upper left section is also lost; the right margin is clipped at the "fold" but the writing is not much affected.

The seal at the end is of dark clay, partly broken off, with no writing, but with an evidence of a small animal figure.

Accession No.

Oriental Institute No. 13755.

Contents

The translation of the text is:

Praise (be)! The irrigation by the
Nile this year has been even with the best
irrigation ever. Therefore, I hope that
this year will be, God
willing, a blessed year. Hence order the people of
your land to undertake cultivation and urge them zealously
and secure a contract from them to that effect. Then send out
for this purpose one who will carry out your order concerning it, and do not entrust
this to such as will hinder you from (carrying) it (out). For
when the land is cultivated, it prospers,
God causing it to bring forth its due
yield. Satisfy me in this, and I will not
blame you in the matter. For cultivation
by the people of the land is their chief duty,
after their duty to God, and (constitutes) their prosperity and
their welfare.
Peace be with those who follow the guidance.
Written by Basil in Muḥarram
of the year one and ninety.

(Seal)

Location

Oriental Institute, Chicago.

References

[1] N. Abbott, The Kurrah Papyri From Aphrodito In The Oriental Institute, 1938, Studies In Ancient Oriental Civilization: No. 15, The University of Chicago Press: Chicago (IL), pp. 45-47, Plate II.

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