Definition: Ur was an ancient Sumerian city that was settled in the late sixth millennium, during the
Ubaid Period. By about 3000 B.C., the area of Ur was about 37 acres. During the Early Dynastic Period, Ur reached its maximum area of 124 acres and was one of the richest Sumerian cities because it was a harbor, and therefore trading, town on the Persian Gulf.
Ur is near the modern Iraqi city of An Nasiriya.
Sargon of Agade (2334–2279 B.C.) made his daughter Enheduanna the high priestess of the moon goddess Nanna at Ur. After about 2000 B.C., Ur became a minor city politically.
Source: James A. Armstrong "Ur" The Oxford Companion to Archaeology. Brian M. Fagan, ed., Oxford University Press 1996. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press.
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wxyz Also Known As: Tell al-Muqayyar