Tummal

Tummal was a significant religious center in ancient Sumer, located near Nippur in what is now Iraq. It was dedicated primarily to the worship of Ninlil, the consort of Enlil, the chief deity of the Sumerian pantheon.

The importance of Tummal stems from its role as the location of the Tummal Inscription, a literary composition found in various versions dating back to the Old Babylonian period. This inscription details the construction and restoration of the temple of Ninlil in Tummal by various rulers of Sumer, offering valuable insights into the political and religious landscape of the third and second millennia BCE. The inscription connects different dynasties through the building of the temple, suggesting a continuity of power and piety despite dynastic changes.

The Tummal Inscription often appears within longer historical compilations like the Sumerian King List, providing context to the reigns of specific kings. It lists kings from various dynasties who contributed to the temple's upkeep, including figures like Lugal-Anne-Mundu of Adab, Gilgamesh of Uruk, Ur-Nammu of Ur, and various rulers from the Isin dynasty. The inclusion of these names underlines the religious significance of Tummal across different political entities.

Excavations at Nippur have provided archaeological evidence corroborating the existence of a temple dedicated to Ninlil, likely the one referenced in the Tummal Inscription. While the exact physical location of Tummal is debated amongst scholars (some suggesting it was a district within Nippur), the texts make clear its religious and symbolic importance as a site of royal patronage and divine devotion. The name "Tummal" itself is believed to be derived from Sumerian, possibly meaning "high mound" or "burial mound".