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How did the Sumerians sign their names?

The Sumerians didn't sign their names in the way we do today. They used cuneiform script, which was a system of writing using wedge-shaped marks pressed into clay tablets.

Instead of a signature, they would often include:

* A personal name: This was usually written in cuneiform and might include a patronymic (father's name) or a descriptive element (e.g., "the strong one").

* A title or profession: This could be a specific job like "scribe" or a more general role like "administrator."

* A reference to a deity: This was a common way to invoke divine protection or blessing.

* A combination of these elements: For example, a name followed by a title, or a name followed by a reference to a deity.

The way these elements were arranged and the specific wording used would vary depending on the context and the individual's status.

Here are a few examples:

* "Ur-Ninurta, son of Ur-Lugal, scribe": This includes a personal name, a patronymic, and a title.

* "Enheduanna, priestess of Inanna": This includes a personal name and a reference to a deity.

It's important to note that the concept of a "signature" in the modern sense didn't really exist in ancient Sumer. They used these elements to identify themselves and their role, but it wasn't a personal mark like a signature.

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