Excavations at the ancient city of Eridu in southern Iraq have revealed a unique administrative archive belonging to the Master of the Royal Reed-Boats. The archive, dating back to the Ur III period, consists of cuneiform tablets that meticulously document the maintenance schedules and bitumen (pitch) application records for a fleet of ceremonial and transport vessels. This provides a rare look into the maritime logistics of ancient Mesopotamia's riverine culture.
The tablets detail the quantities of reed bundles, hemp rope, and liquid bitumen required for seasonal repairs. Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania found the tablets inside a fortified warehouse near the city's ancient harbor. The records even list the names of specialized craftsmen and the duration of their work, highlighting the scale of the state-sponsored naval industry that facilitated trade across the marshlands.