Among several hypotheses, Giovanni Pettinato prefers to see Abarsal as the future city of Assur, the capital of Assyria.
Despite the difficulties encountered during the restoration of the cuneiform tablets, it was possible to date this treaty around the year 2350 BC, thanks to prosopographic studies of its writing.
The treaty regulates the relations between the states of Ebla and Abarsal, located along a river in Upper Mesopotamia.
It mentions the transport of goods, including olive oil and wine, by river boat, and overland by donkey caravans.
[6] Scholars also point to the names of two villages, Zurigi and Abala, that are mentioned in an old cuneiform text in connection with "the superintendent of the city of Abarsal".