Ancient Uruk

Uruk is an ancient Sumerian city in southern Iraq, considered one of the earliest urban centers in history.

The city is renowned for many things, most notably for being continuously inhabited from around the 4th millennium BC to 300 AD. Uruk is where the first writing system, cuneiform, was invented—a script later adopted by neighboring ancient states.

Uruk is also the city of Gilgamesh, the legendary king known for the Epic of Gilgamesh, a tale recounting his adventures and quest for immortality.

Another significant invention of Uruk is the cylinder seal, a small cylinder made of ordinary or semi-precious stone, engraved with animals and mythological figures scenes. These seals were used as signatures when rolled over moist clay tablets.

At the archaeological site of Uruk, you can see the remains of the ancient Ziggurats (stepped towers) dedicated to Inanna, the Mesopotamian goddess of love and war, and Anu, the supreme god of the sky. These deities were the chief gods of the city. You will also find shattered pottery on the ground and clay tablets inscribed with cuneiform.