Beschriftete Hundestatuetten aus Mesopotamien

In this paper figurines of dogs especially of terracotta with inscription are investigated. There are two groups: a) Figurines in connection with the healing goddess Gula, b) Apotropaic figurines. Examples of the first group bear inscriptions with a dedication to Gula. Examples of the second group bear apotropaic inscriptions. The inscriptions of the latter group have exact correspondence with ritual texts. An overview of the preserved examples is given and the colors of the figurines are also discussed. For a known example an improved reading of its inscription is proposed and a hitherto unknown example is presented. For the scarce discovery of such inscribed figurines the possibility of painted cuneiform text is proposed. This small group of artefacts is a very good example of correspondence of archaeological objects and cuneiform texts.