From families to relatives. A brief consideration about social scenarios in the Ur III records

This study examines the fluid and dynamic nature of family and kinship during the Ur III period (c. 2112-2004 BCE), showing a flexible framework of relationships that extended beyond biological bonds. The central role of the e 2 (household) as the primary socio-economic unit highlights the interconnectedness of individuals bound by shared labor, obligations and physical proximity. Practices such as adoption, inheritance, and succession demonstrate the resilience of kinship systems, allowing families to manage socio-economic and political changes. Anthropological concepts, particularly Sahlins’ “mutuality of being,” provide a lens to understand how kinship was constructed through shared existence rather than strictly biological or legal ties. Case studies, such as that of Lala-gula, illustrate processes of “kinning,” “de-kinning,” and “rekinning,” showcasing the negotiated nature of familial roles. This research challenges static definitions of family, highlighting its cultural and functional components, and offers insights into the emerging concept of kinship as a dynamic, socially produced process.