Iraq |
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The modern sacking of Nippur (July, 2003)
Nippur, famed fertile crescent city 200 km south of Baghdad, held
the main temple of Enil, principal diety of the early Sumerian civilization
from about 3500-2500 BC. Nippur has yielded numerous clay tablets with cuneiform
inscriptions, telling of the city’s long history from Sumerian through
Akkadian and Babylonian times.
Here the law code of Hammurabi of Babylon prevailed in the 2nd millenium
BC. Overall, the city was inhabited for nearly 5000 years, into the 9th century
AD.
Sadly, many of Nippur’s structures, tombs, and artifacts, including its priceless cuneiform tablets, are currently being looted in the lawless aftermath of Saddam Hussein's fall. Today this world heritage site, now in a state of serious decay, is being routinely desecrated by thieves. A site guard for University of Chicago excavations (in progress since 1980) can only watch while well organized armed looters invade the site at night. Isin, Another Mesopotamian site supposedly under protection, has been almost completely destroyed. (yahoo.com)
Iran |
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- Early Vintage: 1st evidence of wine, in Iran’s Zagros mountains (AR 1,1)
