ABSTRACT
In the spring of 1893, Herman Hilprecht thought his dreams had been invaded by spirits. As Professor of Assyrian at the University of Pennsylvania, he had been studying drawings of various inscribed fragments recovered from the Temple of Bel at Nippur.1 Although for the most part their classification was easy, two of the sketches caused him particular trouble. These sketches appeared to be of agate finger rings, one bearing the letters KU whilst the other remained indecipherable. Tired of his work, Hilprecht hesitantly ascribed the fragments to the reign of King Kurigalzu, before retiring, exhausted, into a deep sleep.2
