NUNki - Revision history

Sushoff at 19:07, 26 March 2026

2026-03-26T19:07:52Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:07, 26 March 2026
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	{{DISPLAYTITLE:<sup>mul</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup>}}		{{DISPLAYTITLE:<sup>mul</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup>}}
	{{distinguish\|Nunki}}		{{distinguish\|Nunki}}
	Authors: ~~Gennady E. Kurtik,~~ {{PAGEAUTHORS}}~~, Euin Choung Kim~~		Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
	----		----
	[[File:Nunki ident stellarium.jpg\|alt=star chart\|thumb\|Nunki and its identification on the modern map.]]		[[File:Nunki ident stellarium.jpg\|alt=star chart\|thumb\|Nunki and its identification on the modern map.]]

Sushoff at 08:34, 17 January 2026

2026-01-17T08:34:29Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:34, 17 January 2026
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	{{DISPLAYTITLE:<sup>mul</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup>}}		{{DISPLAYTITLE:<sup>mul</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup>}}
	{{distinguish\|Nunki}}		{{distinguish\|Nunki}}
			Authors: Gennady E. Kurtik, {{PAGEAUTHORS}}, Euin Choung Kim
			----
	[[File:Nunki ident stellarium.jpg\|alt=star chart\|thumb\|Nunki and its identification on the modern map.]]		[[File:Nunki ident stellarium.jpg\|alt=star chart\|thumb\|Nunki and its identification on the modern map.]]
	<sup>mul</sup>NUN.KI or <sup>mul</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup> (𒀯𒉣𒆠) is the Sumerian name of an asterism or star. There is a modern star name "[[Nunki]]" which was applied to the star [https://simbad.cds.unistra.fr/simbad/sim-id?Ident=sig+Sgr&NbIdent=1&Radius=2&Radius.unit=arcmin&submit=submit+id σ Sgr (SIMBAD)] because of an early misinterpretation of cuneiform texts in the 19th century.		<sup>mul</sup>NUN.KI or <sup>mul</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup> (𒀯𒉣𒆠) is the Sumerian name of an asterism or star. There is a modern star name "[[Nunki]]" which was applied to the star [https://simbad.cds.unistra.fr/simbad/sim-id?Ident=sig+Sgr&NbIdent=1&Radius=2&Radius.unit=arcmin&submit=submit+id σ Sgr (SIMBAD)] because of an early misinterpretation of cuneiform texts in the 19th century.

Sushoff: /* Identifications. */

2025-12-29T17:00:33Z

Identifications.

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:00, 29 December 2025
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	[[File:Nunki ident stellarium.jpg\|alt=Stellarium map visualizing historical identifications and their mismatch \|thumb\|historical identifications for Nunki marked in a Stellarium map (Hoffmann 2024). As they mismatch the green vertical line, they are incorrect.]]		[[File:Nunki ident stellarium.jpg\|alt=Stellarium map visualizing historical identifications and their mismatch \|thumb\|historical identifications for Nunki marked in a Stellarium map (Hoffmann 2024). As they mismatch the green vertical line, they are incorrect.]]

	==== Identifications. ====		==== Previous Identifications. ====
	= Kiel (Carina) with Canopus (Canopus) + western stars to Eridanus [3. Erg.<ref>''Kugler F.X. '' Sternkunde und Sterndienst in Babel. 3.Ergänzungsheft zum ersten und zweiten Buch von J.Schaumberger. Münster, 1935.</ref>, 335; Gössmann 1950<ref name=":0" />, 306, I].		= Kiel (Carina) with Canopus (Canopus) + western stars to Eridanus [3. Erg.<ref>''Kugler F.X. '' Sternkunde und Sterndienst in Babel. 3.Ergänzungsheft zum ersten und zweiten Buch von J.Schaumberger. Münster, 1935.</ref>, 335; Gössmann 1950<ref name=":0" />, 306, I].

InitTeam at 18:07, 28 December 2025

2025-12-28T18:07:17Z

Show changes

JanSafford at 15:27, 27 December 2025

2025-12-27T15:27:10Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:27, 27 December 2025
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	==== Identifications. ====		==== Identifications. ====
	= Kiel (Carina) with Canopus (Canopus) + western stars to Eridanus [3. Erg., 335; G. 306, I].		= Kiel (Carina) with Canopus (Canopus) + western stars to Eridanus [3. Erg., 335; Gössmann 1950, 306, I].

	= Canopus [G. 306; Waerden 1949, 21; Weidner 1957-59, 79b].		= Canopus [Gössmann 1950, 306; Waerden 1949, 21; Weidner 1957-59, 79b].

	= ζ+ Stern (Puppis) [BPO 2, 11, 14].		= ζ+ Stern (Puppis) [BPO 2, 11, 14].
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	= Canopus [Koch 1989, 106, 111; Mesop.Astrol., 207, App. C].		= Canopus [Koch 1989, 106, 111; Mesop.Astrol., 207, App. C].

	= parts of Stern and Sails [~~ASM~~, 272].		= parts of Stern and Sails [Hunger-Pingree 1999, 272].

	= Stern and Sails [Horowitz 2014, 247].		= Stern and Sails [Horowitz 2014, 247].
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	\|		\|
	==== (n50) NUN.KI ====		==== (n50) NUN.KI ====
	= <sup>mul</sup>''Eridu''<sup>ki</sup> «(Звезда города) Эриду»; созвездие в Корме и Парусах (Puppis + Vela) [G. 306; BPO 2, 14].\|\|Example		= <sup>mul</sup>''Eridu''<sup>ki</sup> «(Звезда города) Эриду»; созвездие в Корме и Парусах (Puppis + Vela) [Gössmann 1950, 306; BPO 2, 14].\|\|Example
	\|-		\|-
	\|I. Источники.		\|I. Источники.
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	IV. Отождествления.		IV. Отождествления.

	= Киль (Carina) с Канопусом (Canopus) + западные звезды до Эридана [3. Erg., 335; G. 306, I].		= Киль (Carina) с Канопусом (Canopus) + западные звезды до Эридана [3. Erg., 335; Gössmann 1950, 306, I].

	= Canopus [G. 306; Waerden 1949, 21; Weidner 1957–59, 79b].		= Canopus [Gössmann 1950, 306; Waerden 1949, 21; Weidner 1957–59, 79b].

	= ζ<sup>+</sup> Кормы (Puppis) [BPO 2, 11, 14].		= ζ<sup>+</sup> Кормы (Puppis) [BPO 2, 11, 14].
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	= Canopus [Koch 1989, 106, 111; Mesop.Astrol., 207, App. C].		= Canopus [Koch 1989, 106, 111; Mesop.Astrol., 207, App. C].

	= части Кормы и Парусов [~~ASM~~, 272].		= части Кормы и Парусов [Hunger-Pingree 1999, 272].

	= Корма и Паруса [Horowitz 2014, 247].		= Корма и Паруса [Horowitz 2014, 247].
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	\|		\|
	==== (a31) AN.KI ====		==== (a31) AN.KI ====
	[G. 29]; только в предсказании: DIŠ KI.TA <sup>mul</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup> IGI KI.MIN KI-šu<sub>2</sub> <sup>mul</sup>AN.KI IGI šal-pu<sub>2</sub>-ti […] «Если оно видно ниже звезды Эриду, вар.: звезда AN.KI видна вместе с ним: осквернение […]» [ACh Ištar, 26:32]. <sup>mul</sup>AN.KI читается как <sup>mul</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup> в [BPO 2, IX 22, XII 9].		[Gössmann 1950, 29]; только в предсказании: DIŠ KI.TA <sup>mul</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup> IGI KI.MIN KI-šu<sub>2</sub> <sup>mul</sup>AN.KI IGI šal-pu<sub>2</sub>-ti […] «Если оно видно ниже звезды Эриду, вар.: звезда AN.KI видна вместе с ним: осквернение […]» [ACh Ištar, 26:32]. <sup>mul</sup>AN.KI читается как <sup>mul</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup> в [BPO 2, IX 22, XII 9].
	\|		\|
	==== G: 29 ====		==== G: 29 ====

Sushoff at 14:28, 18 December 2025

2025-12-18T14:28:24Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:28, 18 December 2025
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	Sumerian NUN.KI/NUN<sup>ki</sup> is the writing of the name of the city of Eridu, the city of the god Ea/Enki, god of the waters, in southernmost Sumer. Hense the star-name can be read [[Eridu\|<sup>mul</sup>eridu<sup>ki</sup>]].		Sumerian NUN.KI/NUN<sup>ki</sup> is the writing of the name of the city of Eridu, the city of the god Ea/Enki, god of the waters, in southernmost Sumer. Hense the star-name can be read [[Eridu\|<sup>mul</sup>eridu<sup>ki</sup>]].

	From the GU-text, it is clear that the Mesopotamian name refers to an area in Vela.		From the GU-text, it is clear that the Mesopotamian name refers to an area in [[Vela]].

	== ~~Recent~~ History ==		==Concordance, Etymology, History<ref>[[Mesopotamian (All Terms)\|Planetarium Babylonicum 2.0]], All Skies Encyclopaedia.</ref>==
			= <sup>mul</sup>Eridu<sup>ki</sup> "(Star of the city of) Eridu";

	~~=== 19th century ===~~		constellation in [[Puppis]] + [[Vela]] [Gössmann 306; BPO 2, 14].

	In his popular book "Star Names" Allen (1899) wrote σ Sgr <blockquote>"has been identified with Nunki of the Euphratean ''Tablet of the Thirty Stars'', the Star of the Proclamation of the Sea, this Sea being the quarter occupied by Aquarius, Capricornus, Delphinus, Pisces, and Piscis Australis. It is the same space in the sky that Aratis designated as the Water; perhaps another proof of the Euphratean origin of much of Greek astronomy."</blockquote>Allen not give any reference to who made this identification, and this is written in a time when only little was known about cuneiform astronomy. The first comprehensive edition and translation of the Babylonian compendium of astronomy, MUL.APIN, which gives an overview of the Mesopotamian uranography, appeared a quarter of a century later. At that time, only fragments were known. Also, the nomenclature of cuneiform texts was not yet standardized and it remains unclear what he refers to with the "''Tablet of the Thirty Stars''". It is not the "Catalog of 30 Stars" as it is not listed in Kurtik but could refer to the Great Star List.

	With "Euphratean", Allen refers to the Babylonians (those days also called "Chaldeans" due to the Christian background of many scholars who dealt with the cuneiform language, it was believed that the culture between the big rivers Euphrates and Tigris was the source of the Jewish and Christian culture).

	~~=== 21st century ===~~
	The GU-text is an astrometrical Babylonian text dating short before 500 BCE (roughly 520 BCE).<ref>Hoffmann, S.M. (2022). Astronomical Information in the GU-Text, in Hoffmann and Wolfschmidt (eds.). Astronomy in Culture – Cultures of Astronomy, tredition Hamburg/ OpenScienceTechnology Berlin, 193-204</ref> It is interpreted as a list of asterisms forming straight lines at the same right ascension. The seventh of these strings or ribbons (with a width of 5°) in the sky, GU VII, has "<sup>mul</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup>" as the last of its asterisms. The other two, namely "the chest of the Lion" (Leo) and the "the middle of the snake" (Hydra), being clearly identified, this stellar pattern leads to the identification of <sup>mul</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup> with the area around λ '''''Velas.'''''

	~~<u>'''''The GU-text seem''''' b'''e part of the missing link from the Babylonian to the Egyptian culture.'''</u> At the same position in the circular Denderah-zodiac,~~[~~https://collections.louvre.fr/en/ark:/53355/cl010028871~~] ~~the Egyptian goddess "Anuket" is depicted which might possibly originate from a pun with "Nunki" (Hoffmann 2022). <gallery>~~
	~~File:GU VII (Leo, Hya, Nunki).jpg\|Position of <sup>mul</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup> according to the GU text (Hoffmann 2022)~~
	~~File:Nunki ident stellarium.jpg\|historical identifications for Nunki marked in a Stellarium map (Hoffmann 2024). As they mismatch the green vertical line, they are incorrect.~~
	~~File:Anuket highlighted.JPG\|[https://collections.louvre.fr/en/ark:/53355/cl010028871 photograph of a detail~~] in the circular zodiac of Denderah (Egypt), the goddess Anuket (Egyptian goddess of the Nile flood) is highlighted. She is drawn below the middle of The Snake (Hydra) and below the chest of The Lion (Leo).
	~~</gallery>~~

	~~==Concordance, Etymology, History==~~
	~~===Kurtik with Hilder, Hoffmann, Horowitz, Kim===~~
	~~= <sup>mul</sup>Eridu<sup>ki</sup> "(Star of the city of) Eridu"; constellation in Quarterdeck and Sails (Puppis~~ + Vela) [G. 306; BPO 2, 14].

	Kurtik also has the variant "AN.KI" only occuring in one prediction, but this is corrected by [BPO 2, IX 22, XII 9] and reads <sup>mul</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup>, too.		Kurtik also has the variant "AN.KI" only occuring in one prediction, but this is corrected by [BPO 2, IX 22, XII 9] and reads <sup>mul</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup>, too.
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	===Additional===		===Additional===

	==== ~~II.~~ Deity. ====		==== Deity. ====
	Reading the name of the constellation 'Eridu' allows for a unique example where the name of an asterism explicitly captures the name of the city that it is associated with. Eridu was the center of worship of Ea (Enki), the god of the subterranean ocean and waters; hence, we find repeated indications in texts that the constellation Eridu was associated with the god Ea. The signs NUN.KI can be understood logographically for Fish-City, i.e. Eridu itself.		Reading the name of the constellation 'Eridu' allows for a unique example where the name of an asterism explicitly captures the name of the city that it is associated with. Eridu was the center of worship of Ea (Enki), the god of the subterranean ocean and waters; hence, we find repeated indications in texts that the constellation Eridu was associated with the god Ea. The signs NUN.KI can be understood logographically for Fish-City, i.e. Eridu itself.

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	(2) Temple ritual, see above.		(2) Temple ritual, see above.

	==== ~~III.~~ Symbol. ====		==== Symbol. ====
	Judging by the description in the GU-text, the symbol of the constellation was an anthropomorphic figure with "hands".		Judging by the description in the GU-text, the symbol of the constellation was an anthropomorphic figure with "hands".
	[[File:Nunki ident stellarium.jpg\|alt=Stellarium map visualizing historical identifications and their mismatch \|thumb\|historical identifications for Nunki marked in a Stellarium map (Hoffmann 2024). As they mismatch the green vertical line, they are incorrect.]]		[[File:Nunki ident stellarium.jpg\|alt=Stellarium map visualizing historical identifications and their mismatch \|thumb\|historical identifications for Nunki marked in a Stellarium map (Hoffmann 2024). As they mismatch the green vertical line, they are incorrect.]]

	==== ~~IV.~~ Identifications. ====		==== Identifications. ====
	= Kiel (Carina) with Canopus (Canopus) + western stars to Eridanus [3. Erg., 335; G. 306, I].		= Kiel (Carina) with Canopus (Canopus) + western stars to Eridanus [3. Erg., 335; G. 306, I].

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	= Stern and Sails [Horowitz 2014, 247].		= Stern and Sails [Horowitz 2014, 247].

	==== V. Parts of the constellation and individual stars. ====		==== Parts of the constellation and individual stars. ====
	"Arms of (the constellation of) Eridu," see GU-text.		"Arms of (the constellation of) Eridu," see GU-text.

	==== ~~VI.~~ Astrology. ====		==== Astrology. ====

	===== Identifications: =====		===== Identifications: =====

WayneHorowitz at 13:55, 18 December 2025

2025-12-18T13:55:14Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:55, 18 December 2025
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	=== 21st century ===		=== 21st century ===
	The GU-text is an astrometrical Babylonian text dating short before 500 BCE (roughly 520 BCE).<ref>Hoffmann, S.M. (2022). Astronomical Information in the GU-Text, in Hoffmann and Wolfschmidt (eds.). Astronomy in Culture – Cultures of Astronomy, tredition Hamburg/ OpenScienceTechnology Berlin, 193-204</ref> It is interpreted as a list of asterisms forming straight lines at the same right ascension. The seventh of these strings or ribbons (with a width of 5°) in the sky, GU VII, has "<sup>mul</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup>" as the last of its asterisms. The other two, namely "the chest of the Lion" (Leo) and the "the middle of the snake" (Hydra), being clearly identified, this stellar pattern leads to the identification of <sup>mul</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup> with the area around λ '''''Velas.??'''''		The GU-text is an astrometrical Babylonian text dating short before 500 BCE (roughly 520 BCE).<ref>Hoffmann, S.M. (2022). Astronomical Information in the GU-Text, in Hoffmann and Wolfschmidt (eds.). Astronomy in Culture – Cultures of Astronomy, tredition Hamburg/ OpenScienceTechnology Berlin, 193-204</ref> It is interpreted as a list of asterisms forming straight lines at the same right ascension. The seventh of these strings or ribbons (with a width of 5°) in the sky, GU VII, has "<sup>mul</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup>" as the last of its asterisms. The other two, namely "the chest of the Lion" (Leo) and the "the middle of the snake" (Hydra), being clearly identified, this stellar pattern leads to the identification of <sup>mul</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup> with the area around λ '''''Velas.'''''

	<u>'''''The GU-text seem''''' b'''e part of the missing link from the Babylonian to the Egyptian culture.'''</u> At the same position in the circular Denderah-zodiac,[https://collections.louvre.fr/en/ark:/53355/cl010028871] the Egyptian goddess "Anuket" is depicted which might possibly originate from a pun with "Nunki" (Hoffmann 2022). <gallery>		<u>'''''The GU-text seem''''' b'''e part of the missing link from the Babylonian to the Egyptian culture.'''</u> At the same position in the circular Denderah-zodiac,[https://collections.louvre.fr/en/ark:/53355/cl010028871] the Egyptian goddess "Anuket" is depicted which might possibly originate from a pun with "Nunki" (Hoffmann 2022). <gallery>
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	!Sources!!Identifications		!Sources!!Identifications
	\|-		\|-
	\|'''''Lexical texts'''''.		\|'''''Lexical texts'''''. (Urra tradition): <sup>mul</sup>Eridu<sup>ki</sup> = ''E-ri-du''<sub>4</sub> [Emar VI/4 151:162], <sup>[mul]</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup> = ŠU [Cavigneaux 1979 132, 17:12]

	* DC XXII ~~series~~: ~~<sup>mul</sup>Eridu<sup>ki</sup> = ''E-ri-du''<sub>4</sub> [Emar VI/4 151:162], <sup>[mul]</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup> = ŠU [Cavigneaux 1979 132, 17:12;~~ Bloch-Horowitz 2015, 106:277ʹ],		* Urra XXII: Bloch-Horowitz 2015, 106:277ʹ], <sup>[mul]</sup>NUN/Eridu<sup>ki</sup> = ŠU.
	* <sup>[mul]</sup>NUN<~~sup>?</~~sup> ki ~~<sup>?~~</sup> = ŠU ~~[SpTU III, 114A v 21]~~.		*
	\|		\|
	\|-		\|-
	\|"'''''Three Stars Each (Astrolabes)'''''.		\|"'''''Three Stars Each (Astrolabes)'''''.

	* The stars of Ea, Anu, and Enlil. 12 stars of Ea (no. 7): <sup>mul</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup> [CT 33, 9 r. 18; HBA, 104; MCG, 176].		* The stars of Ea, Anu, and Enlil. 12 stars of Ea (no. 7): <sup>mul</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup> [CT 33, 9 r. 18; HBA, 104; MCG, 176] (in the tradition of NV 10 see Horowitz 2014: 209).
	\|		\|
	\|-		\|-
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	\|"'''''Great Star List'''''."		\|"'''''Great Star List'''''."

	* List of names for Mars: <sup>mul</sup>~~nunki~~ = <sup>d</sup>min(= <sup>d</sup>''ṣal-bat-a-nu'') "(Asterism of) Eridu = Mars" [Mesop.Astrol., App. B:107].		* List of names for Mars: <sup>mul</sup>nun<sup>ki</sup> = <sup>d</sup>min (= <sup>d</sup>''ṣal-bat-a-nu'') "(Asterism of) Eridu = Mars" [Mesop.Astrol., App. B:107].
	\|		\|
	\|-		\|-
	\|'''''Star List VR 46,'''''		\|'''''Star List VR 46,'''''
	* '''''1:37'''''. <sup>mul</sup>mu.bu.<keš.da ša<sub>2</sub>> a.ab.ba = <sup>mul</sup>~~nunki~~ "Yoke of the Sea = Asterism of Eridu" [HBA, 52:37; Wee 2016, 162-3]. '''''For the 'Yoke of the Sea' as an asterism as or in the vicinity of the Southern Cross (Crux) see Horowitz ~~2917~~.'''''		* '''''1:37'''''. <sup>mul</sup>mu.bu.<keš.da ša<sub>2</sub>> a.ab.ba = <sup>mul</sup>nun<sup>ki</sup> "Yoke of the Sea = Asterism of Eridu" [HBA, 52:37; Wee 2016, 162-3]. '''For the 'Yoke of the Sea' as an asterism as or in the vicinity of the Southern Cross (Crux) see Horowitz 2017.'''
	\|		\|
	\|-		\|-
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	==== II. Deity. ====		==== II. Deity. ====
	Reading the name of the constellation 'Eridu' allows for a unique example where the name of an asterism explicitly captures the name of the city that it is associated with. Eridu was the center of worship of Ea (Enki), the god of the subterranean ocean and waters; hence, we find repeated indications in texts that the constellation Eridu was associated with the god Ea.		Reading the name of the constellation 'Eridu' allows for a unique example where the name of an asterism explicitly captures the name of the city that it is associated with. Eridu was the center of worship of Ea (Enki), the god of the subterranean ocean and waters; hence, we find repeated indications in texts that the constellation Eridu was associated with the god Ea. The signs NUN.KI can be understood logographically for Fish-City, i.e. Eridu itself.

	===== Prayers and rituals. =====		===== Prayers and rituals. =====
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	===== Identifications: =====		===== Identifications: =====
	(1) = Venus; the name of Venus in the month of ~~ulul~~, see (Kurtik d06) ''[[Dilbat]]'', "Tablet of Dilbat" (4).		(1) = Venus; the name of Venus in the month of Ululu, see (Kurtik d06) ''[[Dilbat]]'', "Tablet of Dilbat" (4).

	(2) = Mars; <sup>mul</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup> <sup>d</sup>Ṣal-bat-a-nu [...] "Eridu = Mars [...]" [ACh Suppl. 2, 66:33], for a parallel see. [BPO 3, 58, K.148+:37]; see also The Great Star List.		(2) = Mars; <sup>mul</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup> <sup>d</sup>Ṣal-bat-a-nu [...] "Eridu = Mars [...]" [ACh Suppl. 2, 66:33], for a parallel see. [BPO 3, 58, K.148+:37]; see also The Great Star List.

InitTeam at 09:33, 16 December 2025

2025-12-16T09:33:00Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:33, 16 December 2025
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	==References==		==References==
	*[[References (Babylonian)\|Kurtik's references]]		*[[References (Babylonian)\|Kurtik's references]]

			[[Category:4workWayne]]

	[[Category:Mesopotamian]]		[[Category:Mesopotamian]]

WayneHorowitz: Some small changes and additions with Italics and Bold

2025-12-15T06:16:52Z

Some small changes and additions with Italics and Bold

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:16, 15 December 2025
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	{{distinguish\|Nunki}}		{{distinguish\|Nunki}}
	[[File:Nunki ident stellarium.jpg\|alt=star chart\|thumb\|Nunki and its identification on the modern map.]]		[[File:Nunki ident stellarium.jpg\|alt=star chart\|thumb\|Nunki and its identification on the modern map.]]
	<sup>mul</sup>NUN.KI or <sup>mul</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup> (𒀯𒉣𒆠) is the Sumerian name of an asterism or star. There is a modern star name "[[Nunki]]" which was applied to the star [https://simbad.cds.unistra.fr/simbad/sim-id?Ident=sig+Sgr&NbIdent=1&Radius=2&Radius.unit=arcmin&submit=submit+id σ Sgr (SIMBAD)] because of an early misinterpretation of cuneiform texts in the 19th century. ~~From~~ the ~~GU-text~~, ~~it is clear that~~ the ~~Mesopotamian name refers to an area~~ in ~~Vela~~. ~~Possible readings of~~ the name ~~also include~~ [[Eridu\|<sup>mul</sup>eridu<sup>ki</sup>]].		<sup>mul</sup>NUN.KI or <sup>mul</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup> (𒀯𒉣𒆠) is the Sumerian name of an asterism or star. There is a modern star name "[[Nunki]]" which was applied to the star [https://simbad.cds.unistra.fr/simbad/sim-id?Ident=sig+Sgr&NbIdent=1&Radius=2&Radius.unit=arcmin&submit=submit+id σ Sgr (SIMBAD)] because of an early misinterpretation of cuneiform texts in the 19th century.

			Sumerian NUN.KI/NUN<sup>ki</sup> is the writing of the name of the city of Eridu, the city of the god Ea/Enki, god of the waters, in southernmost Sumer. Hense the star-name can be read [[Eridu\|<sup>mul</sup>eridu<sup>ki</sup>]].

			From the GU-text, it is clear that the Mesopotamian name refers to an area in Vela.

	== Recent History ==		== Recent History ==
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	=== 21st century ===		=== 21st century ===
	The GU-text is an astrometrical Babylonian text dating short before 500 BCE (roughly 520 BCE).<ref>Hoffmann, S.M. (2022). Astronomical Information in the GU-Text, in Hoffmann and Wolfschmidt (eds.). Astronomy in Culture – Cultures of Astronomy, tredition Hamburg/ OpenScienceTechnology Berlin, 193-204</ref> It is interpreted as a list of asterisms forming straight lines at the same right ascension. The seventh of these strings or ribbons (with a width of 5°) in the sky, GU VII, has "<sup>mul</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup>" as the last of its asterisms. The other two, namely "the chest of the Lion" (Leo) and the "the middle of the snake" (Hydra), being clearly identified, this stellar pattern leads to the identification of <sup>mul</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup> with the area around λ ~~Vel~~.		The GU-text is an astrometrical Babylonian text dating short before 500 BCE (roughly 520 BCE).<ref>Hoffmann, S.M. (2022). Astronomical Information in the GU-Text, in Hoffmann and Wolfschmidt (eds.). Astronomy in Culture – Cultures of Astronomy, tredition Hamburg/ OpenScienceTechnology Berlin, 193-204</ref> It is interpreted as a list of asterisms forming straight lines at the same right ascension. The seventh of these strings or ribbons (with a width of 5°) in the sky, GU VII, has "<sup>mul</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup>" as the last of its asterisms. The other two, namely "the chest of the Lion" (Leo) and the "the middle of the snake" (Hydra), being clearly identified, this stellar pattern leads to the identification of <sup>mul</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup> with the area around λ '''''Velas.??'''''

	<u>The GU-text ~~seems to be~~ part of the missing link from the Babylonian to the Egyptian culture.</u> At the same position in the circular Denderah-zodiac,[https://collections.louvre.fr/en/ark:/53355/cl010028871] the Egyptian goddess "Anuket" is depicted which might possibly originate from a pun with "Nunki" (Hoffmann 2022). <gallery>		<u>'''''The GU-text seem''''' b'''e part of the missing link from the Babylonian to the Egyptian culture.'''</u> At the same position in the circular Denderah-zodiac,[https://collections.louvre.fr/en/ark:/53355/cl010028871] the Egyptian goddess "Anuket" is depicted which might possibly originate from a pun with "Nunki" (Hoffmann 2022). <gallery>
	File:GU VII (Leo, Hya, Nunki).jpg\|Position of <sup>mul</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup> according to the GU text (Hoffmann 2022)		File:GU VII (Leo, Hya, Nunki).jpg\|Position of <sup>mul</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup> according to the GU text (Hoffmann 2022)
	File:Nunki ident stellarium.jpg\|historical identifications for Nunki marked in a Stellarium map (Hoffmann 2024). As they mismatch the green vertical line, they are incorrect.		File:Nunki ident stellarium.jpg\|historical identifications for Nunki marked in a Stellarium map (Hoffmann 2024). As they mismatch the green vertical line, they are incorrect.
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	\|'''''Star List VR 46,'''''		\|'''''Star List VR 46,'''''
	* '''''1:37'''''. <sup>mul</sup>mu.bu.<keš.da ša<sub>2</sub>> a.ab.ba = <sup>mul</sup>nunki "Yoke of the Sea = Asterism of Eridu" [HBA, 52:37; Wee 2016, 162-3].		* '''''1:37'''''. <sup>mul</sup>mu.bu.<keš.da ša<sub>2</sub>> a.ab.ba = <sup>mul</sup>nunki "Yoke of the Sea = Asterism of Eridu" [HBA, 52:37; Wee 2016, 162-3]. '''''For the 'Yoke of the Sea' as an asterism as or in the vicinity of the Southern Cross (Crux) see Horowitz 2917.'''''
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Sushoff at 18:46, 23 November 2025

2025-11-23T18:46:30Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:46, 23 November 2025
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	{{distinguish\|Nunki}}		{{distinguish\|Nunki}}
	[[File:Nunki ident stellarium.jpg\|alt=star chart\|thumb\|Nunki and its identification on the modern map.]]		[[File:Nunki ident stellarium.jpg\|alt=star chart\|thumb\|Nunki and its identification on the modern map.]]
	<sup>mul</sup>NUN.KI (𒀯𒉣𒆠) is the Sumerian name of an asterism or star. There is a modern star name "[[Nunki]]" which was applied to the star [https://simbad.cds.unistra.fr/simbad/sim-id?Ident=sig+Sgr&NbIdent=1&Radius=2&Radius.unit=arcmin&submit=submit+id σ Sgr (SIMBAD)] because of an early misinterpretation of cuneiform texts in the 19th century. From the GU-text, it is clear that the Mesopotamian name refers to an area in Vela. Possible readings of the name also include [[Eridu\|<sup>mul</sup>eridu<sup>ki</sup>]].		<sup>mul</sup>NUN.KI or <sup>mul</sup>NUN<sup>ki</sup> (𒀯𒉣𒆠) is the Sumerian name of an asterism or star. There is a modern star name "[[Nunki]]" which was applied to the star [https://simbad.cds.unistra.fr/simbad/sim-id?Ident=sig+Sgr&NbIdent=1&Radius=2&Radius.unit=arcmin&submit=submit+id σ Sgr (SIMBAD)] because of an early misinterpretation of cuneiform texts in the 19th century. From the GU-text, it is clear that the Mesopotamian name refers to an area in Vela. Possible readings of the name also include [[Eridu\|<sup>mul</sup>eridu<sup>ki</sup>]].

	== Recent History ==		== Recent History ==