After long discussions about the terms of the treaties to be signed, the representatives participated in a solemn ritual in which an animal – usually a calf – was sacrificed at some holy spot outside the walls of a city. The left ear of the sacrificial victim was cut off and it was used to smear with blood both the document bearing the articles of agreement, and the lips of the participants. One copy of the document was buried with the sacrificial beast and each of the signatories kept a copy. The texts of these treaties were couched in brief but solemn language and usually involved three parts: the statement of purpose, the articles of agreement, and an oath invoking the wrath of the most important deities upon anyone who transgressed the agreements. Despite the solemn language and ceremony, treaties were often broken.