, which existed by 3500 BC, were called temple towns. The temple towns grew into city-states, which are considered the basis of the first true civilizations. At a time when only the most rudimentary forms of transportation and communication were available, the city-state was the most governable type of human settlement. City-states were ruled by leaders, called ensis, who were probably authorized to control the local irrigation systems. The food surplus provided by the farmers supported these leaders, as well as priests, artists, craftsmen, and others.

The Sumerians contributed to the development of metalworking, wheeled carts, and potter's wheels. They may have invented the first form of writing. They engraved pictures on clay tablets in a form of writing known as cuneiform (wedge-shaped). The tablets were used to keep the accounts of the temple food storehouses. By about 2500 BC these picture-signs were being refined into an alphabet.

The Sumerians developed the first calendar, which they adjusted to the phases of the moon. The lunar calendar was adopted by the Semites, Egyptians, and Greeks. An increase in trade between Sumerian cities and between Sumeria and other, more distant regions led to the growth of a merchant class.

Warfare between cities eventually led to the rise of kings, called lugals, whose authority replaced that of city-state rulers. Sumeria became a more unified state, with a common culture and a centralized government. This led to the establishment of a bureaucracy and an army. By 2375 BC, most of Sumer was united under one King, Lugalzaggisi of Umma.

City of Ur

About 6200-6500 years ago there existed a civilization located between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. The area was known as Mesopotamia and the city was called Ur. Because of the geographic location, the city had fertile soil and was the perfect place to irrigate the land and raise productive crops, as well as domesticate sheep, goats and other animals.

Ur is known in the Bible as Ur of the Chaldees. This biblical name, Ur of the Chaldees, refers to the Chaldeans, who settled the area about 900 BC. It is known as the ancient city of the Sumerian civilization and the home of Abraham. Its ruins are between the modern city of Baghdad, Iraq, and the head of the Arabian Gulf. The site is now known as Tall al Muqayyar.

The site of ancient Ur is located 140 miles south of Babylon. It was the capital of a small wealthy empire during the third millennium BC. Most of the great ziggurat of Ur is still standing.

Archaeologists started to excavate mounds in Iraq. There they uncovered the ancient civilizations of Assyria, Babylonia, Sumeria, and Ur.

The first settlers of this land were known as Ubaidians, however, the credit for establishing the civilization should go to the Sumerians who were the second settlers. With them they brought art and literature, which far surpassed that of the Ubaidians. Other cities that were settled were Ukak, Eridu, and Kish, but Ur was the largest.

The first king of Ur was known as Mes-Anni-Padda, he was succeeded by his son, A-Anni-Padda. During the rule of these kings, Ur was constantly at war with other states of Mesopotamia. And attack by raiders from Akkad, ended the First Dynasty of Ur. Ur then entered a stage comparable to the Dark Ages. It remained that way until a new king came to power. His name was Ur-Nammu. Under his rule a government was established which enforced its laws and rules strictly. Time was taken to revitalize life in Ur. Temples were built, including the biggest and most beautiful of them all, the Ziggurat. The Third Dynasty ended when northern barbarians attacked. Ur became occupied by Babylonians, but was eventually ridden with drought and was covered by many layers of sand.

The ruins of Ur were found and first excavated by the British consul J.E. Taylor, who partly uncovered the ziggurat of Nanna. The British Museum began excavations there in 1919 and was joined later by the University Museum of the University of Pennsylvania. The expedition completely excavated the ziggurat, the entire temple area at Ur, and parts of the residential and commercial quarters of the city. The most spectacular discovery was the Royal Cemetery. It contained art treasures of gold, silver, bronze, and precious stones.

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