Then vs Now :

Uruk, located in the southern region of Sumer (modern day Warka, Iraq). The city of Uruk is most famous for its great king Gilgamesh and the epic tale of his quest for immortality but also for a number of firsts in the development of civilization which occurred there.

Uruk; one of most important  cities (at one time, most important) in ancient  Mesopotamia. According to Sumerian King List, it was founded by King Enmerkar 4500 BC. Uruk is best known as the birthplace of writing 3200 BC as well as for its architecture and other cultural innovations. Uruk, is also considered first civilized city in the world 4000 BC.

Uruk is considered the first true city in the world, the origin of writing, the first example of architectural work in stone and the building of great stone structures, the origin of the ziggurat, and first city to develop cylinder seal which ancient Mesopotamians used to designate personal property or as a signature on documents. Considering the importance the cylinder seal had for the people of the time, and that it stood for one's personal identity and reputation, Uruk could also be credited as the city which first recognized the importance of the individual in the collective community.

The city was continuously inhabited from its founding until 300 CE when, owing to both natural and man-made influences, people began to desert the area. By this time, it had depleted natural resources in the surrounding area and was no longer a major political or commercial power. It lay abandoned and buried until excavated between 1849-1853 CE, by English Archaeologists William Loftus for the British Museum.

#archaeohistories

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