Ritual site dedicated to Mesopotamian War God discovered in Iraq

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Archaeologists working in Iraq have made an intriguing discovery. They have found a sacred area that was dedicated to a Mesopotamian war god.

The find was made by a team of experts working on the Tello Ancient Girsu Project, which has been overseen by the British Museum. “Tello, the ancient Sumerian Girsu, is one of the earliest known cities of the world” according to ASOR. 

This site has been intensively investigated in the past, during which many important Sumerian remains and artifacts were uncovered. The focus of the most recent archaeological investigations has been centered on the sacred district of Girsu, known as Uruku, where there was a temple to the Mesopotamian war god, Ningirsu.

During 2019, the archaeologists unearthed a sacred or cultic area that is up to five millennia old. It was almost certainly used for ritual procession, religious feasting, and sacrifices. They also found some 300 artifacts such as cups, bowls, and vessels, that were probably used in the ceremonies or rituals. 

One of the most striking objects the archaeologists found was a bronze figurine shaped like a duck, with eyes made out of shell. The object may have been dedicated to Nanshe, a goddess associated with water, marshlands and aquatic birds, Rey and Greenfield told Live Science in an email. The researchers also uncovered a fragment of a vase that has an inscription dedicated to Ningirsu.

The area has a thick layer of ash that was likely left over from large ritual fires. The team also found eight ash-filled oval structures that were likely the remains of lanterns or floor lamps. 

Archaeologists believe that the cultic area was in use during a time period called the "early dynastic," which lasted between 2950-2350 B.C.

 

Sources: 1, 2

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It must be so exciting to discover things like this from so long ago.

[DeanWinchester 41,390]

39 minutes ago, FfFfFfFF said:

cultic area

GGD existed back then?