Ur: Cradle of Civilization

Ur, located at the site of modern Tell el-Muqayyar in southern Iraq, was a major Sumerian city-state in ancient Mesopotamia. Founded around 3800 BCE, it is recorded in written history from the 26th century BCE. The city was dedicated to Nanna, the moon god, and its name means 'the abode of Nanna'. During the third millennium BCE, Ur was a highly centralized, wealthy, bureaucratic state. The discovery of the Royal Tombs, dating from about the 25th century BCE, revealed luxury items made of precious metals and semi-precious stones, indicating extensive trade. Some estimate that Ur was the largest city in the world from 2030-1980 BCE, with approximately 65,000 people. Key structures at Ur include the Ziggurat, a massive stepped pyramid built in the 21st century BCE during the reign of Ur-Nammu and reconstructed in the 6th century BCE by Nabonidus. The city also featured the Royal Cemetery, where the tombs of Sumerian kings were discovered. Ur came under the control of the Akkadian Empire between the 24th and 22nd centuries BCE. After the fall of this empire, Ur was ruled by the Gutians until King Ur-Nammu came to power around 2047-2030 BCE, establishing the Third Dynasty of Ur. This period saw the construction of temples like the Ziggurat, improved agricultural irrigation, and the creation of the Code of Ur-Nammu, a code of laws predating the Code of Hammurabi by 300 years. Ur lost its political power after the Third Dynasty but remained economically important. It was ruled by the first dynasty of Babylonia, then part of the Sealand Dynasty, and later by the Kassites before falling to the Assyrian Empire. The city began its final decline around 550 BCE and was uninhabited by 500 BCE, likely due to drought, changing river patterns, and the silting of the Persian Gulf. Today, visitors can explore the ruins of Ur, including the Ziggurat, remnants of ancient houses, and the Royal Cemetery.