Sumerian Dedication Cone: Gudea Replica about 2140 BC. Cast Stone. The cone is about 4 inches long by 2 inches wide. Cuneiform Cones or nails were used in ancient Mesopotamia around 2000 BC as a dedicatory text when a monarch built or rebuilt a major building and dedicated it to the city deity. This nail has a clear inscription written by the scribe of Gudea. Gudea ruled ancient Legash one of the biggest cities in the known world at the time.