The earliest Mesopotamian incantation tablets date to the Early
Dynastic III period, and are extent in 16 Sumerian texts from
Šuruppak,1 from Abu Salabikh, 2 from Lagash and 12 from Ebla.
In addition, 12 Semitic language incantations are known from ED
period Ebla. Incantations in this period are typically brief and
formulaic with functions including the easing of childbirth and
deliverance from illness. [1] The
protoganists in these incantations are not as varied as in later
incantations and the paucity of demons may reflect the type of
incantations "which appear in Fara and Ebla, namely, predominantly
'snake' incantations (presumably against snake-bite) and so-called
kultmittel-beschwörungen." [2]