Of Numbers and Magnitudes. Measure and Value at Presargonic Ebla. Workshop of the Rome research unit of the PRIN 2017 ‘Big DEA’, Roma (1 April 2022)
Overview
In this paper I discuss the challenges faced in studying textiles and textile sets at Ebla. My paper highlights the ambiguity in terminology and the need to reconcile written records with archaeological evidence. The study focuses on the accounting procedures, recipients, and social context surrounding textile deliveries. I presents a methodology for textual pattern recognition and analyzes six sets of textiles, garments, and cloths. The paper explores the different accounting models used: the analysis reveals insights into the socio-economic context, trade, and use of textiles as items of exchange. The study also discusses the standardization in account-keeping, the use of n-grams for pattern identification, and the role of numbers in understanding textile production and distribution. Overall, the research sheds light on the complexity and evolution of textile accounting practices at Ebla.
