Excavated. Accumulated. Exhibited.

Introductory Text:

"The Map of Nippur and Additional Highlights from the Collection"

Most of the artefacts that were allegedly “gifted” to Hilprecht in Constantinople were later handed over to the Penn. Around 3,000 selected objects – including the map of Nippur on display here – were brought to Jena, where Hilprecht owned a second home.

Hilprecht intended to study the finds in Jena. It remains unclear whether he planned to return them to the Penn at a later point or not.

However, Hilprecht informed the directors of the Penn about the location of the artefacts. Initially, the Penn did not object and allowed the renowned scholar to continue his research.

Object Labels:

“Explorations in Bible Lands” (1903)

A few years after the fourth excavation campaign, Hilprecht published his edited volume of essays. The book sparked the so-called Peters-Hilprecht controversy, which lasted for several years.

In his book, Hilprecht presented himself as a leading figure in the field of West Asian studies and claimed to have discovered a temple library in Nippur.

The fact that Hilprecht presented the expedition’s research results as his own achievements outraged his colleagues.

"Fragments of an astrological text"

Through astrological observations, the Babylonians and Assyrians attempted to understand and predict the future. They recorded their observations in so-called omen texts, many of which were preserved in temple libraries.

Hilprecht mistakenly identified the fragment on display here as a find from the fourth excavation campaign. Since Hilprecht was present in Nippur during the fourth campaign, he was able to claim that he himself had discovered the “library”.

His colleagues accused him of disregarding scientific principles out of personal ambition. To them, he was nothing more than “a bag of wind” and “a humbug”.

"Hilprechts Will" (1922)

Even Hilprechts superiors were becoming increasingly upset with him. The Assyriologist was no longer fulfilling his duties properly and showed no signs of handing over the retained findings.

Penn made concessions, suggesting that he be allowed to keep the findings but must bequeath the findings to the Museum in Philadelphia in his will.

Hilprecht didn’t comply with this suggestion. He bequeathed his “private collection” to the University of Jena, which was baffled when it found out about the inheritance.

About this translation:
This English version was created by students as part of the project. As a small-scale initiative, the translations were produced in-house and have not undergone professional language editing. We appreciate your understanding.