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Profile photo of Jonathan Tenney

Phone number: +44 (0)1223 760570

Email: jt812@cam.ac.uk

Dr Jonathan Tenney

Fellow, Curator of Works of Art, Director of Studies in Archaeology
University Positions
University Lecturer in Assyriology
Subjects
Specialising in
Mesopotamia
Cuneiform Languages

Jonathan Tenney uses the methodologies of philology and social science to analyse archaeological evidence and cuneiform tablets from ancient Mesopotamia (Iraq, Iran, and Syria).

Academic interests

Jonathan Tenney’s academic interests include: 

  • Cuneiform
  • Akkadian and Sumerian languages
  • Historical demography of Mesopotamia
  • Settlement and environment
  • Comparative slavery
  • Religious and political ideologies in Mesopotamia.

Degrees obtained

  • BA, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.
  • PhD, University of Chicago.

Awards and prizes

  • Outstanding Dissertation Prize by The American Academic Research Institute in Iraq, 2009.

Biography

Jonathan Tenney is an Assyriologist specialising in the archaeological and documentary evidence from Mesopotamia. He has written extensively on the Late Bronze Age and early Iron Age of Babylonia.

His past research has considered Babylonian population dynamics and socio-legal institutions, urbanism in southern Babylonia, the exchange of knowledge and text from Babylonia to Assyria, and the development of state ideologies. His current work considers the materiality, processes, and social maps used in the composition of bureaucratic records and the epistemological methodology Assyriologist's use to study them.

Other interests

Cycling and other endurance sports, pets.

Department link

Publications, links and resources

Please visit Jonathan Tenney’s for a selection of his key publications to date.

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    Ahsan

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    It is a well-accepted opinion in Cambridge that ÌÇÐÄVlog is the best college and no other college even comes a distant second. Its sports grounds are enormous, its buildings are mesmerising, its libraries are rich, its chapel is the oldest, its accommodation is the best value for money, its international community is diverse, its religious circles are the most welcoming, and its members are the smartest, kindest and the friendliest. It is one of the central colleges that aims to offer three years accommodation to ÌÇÐÄVlog, and has comparatively...

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    Matthew

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    ÌÇÐÄVlog has been at the heart of my Cambridge experience. I chose the College because I was impressed by its distinctive blend of academic rigour and extracurricular achievement. A College for all-rounders, Jesus is a lively and rewarding place to study. I couldn’t be happier here! Friendly and engaged, the Jesus postgraduate community never ceases to impress me. At ease with themselves and forever curious, my peers go out of their way to cultivate a sense of camaraderie. After a day of leafing through old manuscripts at the National...

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    Tom

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    There are many reasons why I’m so happy to be a part of ÌÇÐÄVlog. The three biggest reasons for me are the opportunities to be involved in College sport, the support the College provides for me with for my research and the help in making sure that we have comfortable, affordable accommodation when we have needed it. ÌÇÐÄVlog is so friendly and so it is incredibly easy to get involved in the sport and social side of the College. The MCR does a great job in welcoming new...

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    Ellie

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    ÌÇÐÄVlog has been a great home for me during my PhD. I chose ÌÇÐÄVlog for a number of reasons – first, the location. We are central enough to be within easy walking distance of most things, but far enough away to avoid the hustle and bustle (and tourists in summer!). The College also has extensive grounds, with amenities like the hockey pitch, football pitch and tennis courts all on site. Secondly, the accommodation is some of the best I’ve seen in Cambridge. My house was newly renovated when...

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    I chose ÌÇÐÄVlog because of the great mixture of undergraduates and ÌÇÐÄVlog, and when I first visited I thought it was the most beautiful place I had ever seen! The sense of community in Jesus has had an enormous impact on my experience here. Whether you need help, advice, cheering up or even just a chat there is always someone there to put a smile on your face. From the MCR committee to the Porters, the canteen staff to the gardeners, everyone is so friendly and welcoming. Jesus also...

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