Sixth-century clay tribute to Nebuchadnezzar II up for auction

Cuneiform cylinder honouring Biblical king expected to fetch £300,000

For all those homes still lacking an ancient piece of Babylonian history, a clay cylinder from the reign of Nebuchadnezzar II detailing his rebuilding of a temple to Shamash is set to be auctioned next week.

Expected to fetch up to US$500,000 (£300,000) when it goes up for sale on 9 April, the cuneiform cylinder is dated to around 600 BC, said auctioneer Doyle New York, and is "a remarkable written record in clay" from the reign of Nebuchadnezzar II. The second of the 11th dynasty of Babylonian rulers, the king reigned from around 605BC to 562BC, and is credited with building the Hanging Gardens of Babylon and recorded in the Bible as destroying the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem.