Excavations at the ancient city of Ur have unearthed a specialized cuneiform archive belonging to an official known as the "Master of the Royal Mint." The collection of over 200 clay tablets details the rigorous standards for silver-weight purity and the official exchange rates for vital commodities like grain, wool, and copper. This administrative hub appears to have regulated the value of currency within the Sumerian city-state to prevent fraud in maritime trade.
The find includes several standardized stone weights bearing the official seal of the palace, confirming a highly centralized control over the economy. These tablets provide a rare glimpse into how ancient Mesopotamian civilizations managed inflation and resource allocation. The archive also contains correspondence regarding a major silver shipment from the Persian Gulf, underscoring the international scale of the Sumerian economic network.