Hamdani from Ur: We Discovered Rare Archaeological Treasures

 Dhe Qar, INA-

The Iraqi Minister of Culture and Tourism, Abdul Amir al-Hamdani, disclosed that the joint Iraqi-American-German excavation mission found a number of ancient relics of extreme importance, including cuneiform scripts in both Sumerian and Akkadian languages, as well as schooling and commercial texts.

In a statement by the Ministry of Culture, issued on Saturday and seen by INA, announced that the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Abdul Amir al-Hamdani, had inspected the ancient city of Ur in Dhe Qar governorate to oversee the latest developments in archeological excavations there.

The statement went on that 'the mission in Ur city has come from New York and is headed by Elizabeth Stone to resume its long interrupted work there by approvals from the Committee of Antiquities and the Ministry of Culture, explaining that this season is the third in the mission's work that uncovered many buildings, structures, streets, neighborhoods, bakeries, baths and other common places.

Hamdani went on saying that the mission found numerous pieces and relics of utmost importance, including cuneiform scripts in both Sumerian and Akkadian languages, in addition to schooling and commercial texts and other works like cylindrical seals and copper or stone tools which were used in everyday activities in Ur and represent the end of the third millennium when Ur was the central city in ancient Iraq. Hamdani explained that those excavations gave a vibrant vision about the community that lived then and the means it used to educate itself in those times because many written text were found in the city and in every house excavated.

The Minister of Culture pointed out also that the existence of foreign archeological missions in Iraq, in Dhe Qar and other locations of the country, hints out that Iraq is gradually recovering its civilized position and reflects the scientific cooperation taking place between the Committee of Antiquities and world Universities and research centers. It is also a confirmation that Iraq has restored its normal position.