Excavations at the ancient city of Eridu in southern Iraq have led to the discovery of a 4,000-year-old administrative wing dedicated to the processing of semi-precious stones. Researchers uncovered a significant archive of cuneiform tablets serving as a Registry of Royal Jewel-Cutters, documenting the names of artisans and the quantities of Lapis Lazuli imported from distant Badakhshan.
Among the artifacts are several "polishing manuals"—tablets that describe the specific oils and abrasives required to enhance the deep blue hue of the stone. The site also yielded a cache of raw lapis fragments and unfinished cylinder seals, providing a rare glimpse into the state-controlled luxury economy of the Sumerian Third Dynasty of Ur. This find confirms Eridu's enduring importance as a center for high-status craftsmanship well into the Bronze Age.