Ur, Ancient city and archaeological site in Dhi Qar Governorate, Iraq
Ur is an archaeological site in Dhi Qar Governorate in southern Iraq where visitors find remains of one of humanity's oldest cities. The Great Ziggurat rises about 30 meters (100 feet) above the plain and stands alongside ruins of temples, residential districts, and royal palaces that spread over several square kilometers.
The city emerged around 3800 BCE and grew into a major trade center in ancient Sumer. It reached its greatest power under the Third Dynasty between 2047 and 1750 BCE before gradually being abandoned following several conquests.
Ur remains an important reference point for remembering early Mesopotamia, and local communities consider the site part of their national heritage. Visitors often notice how Iraqi guides emphasize the connection between ancient Sumerian traditions and the regional identity today.
Access is usually arranged through organized tours coordinated by the Iraqi antiquities board, as the region requires special security arrangements. Visitors should plan to arrive early in the morning to avoid the intense desert heat during afternoon hours.
Excavations in the 1920s by Leonard Woolley uncovered royal tombs where over 70 individuals were buried alongside their rulers. Archaeologists found harps, jewelry, and personal items suggesting that attendants may have performed a ritual before entering the burial chambers.
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