Ankara Üniversitesi Dil ve Tarih-Coğrafya Fakültesi Dergisi (Jan 2017)
The New Title in Kültepe Texts, Rabi Tabatim “The Chief of Salt Dealer”
Abstract
Being one of the basic nutrients not only for humans, but also all the living creatures of the nature, salt was one of the fundamental substances used in various fields thousands of years ago as well. We learn the oldest information about salt from the cuneiform tablets. Salt is mentioned in the Kültepe tablets as an article measured in bowl, sack, etc. and sold at a lower price. Thanks to these texts, we know that there is a profession called “salt-dealer.” However, there is not any information with respect to duties of such people and more importantly, the locations of salt quarries and mines. Our study will deal with the title of a senior official, rabi æābātim “the chief of salt-dealer,” who supervises the works and activities about salt, as mentioned in the document with inventory number Kt. 97/k 149, discovered in the Kültepe excavations in 1997.
