Ruins from a temple in Naffur, Iraq, are said to be the site for the meeting of Sumerian gods, as well as the place that man was created. U.S. forces and Iraqi officials toured the ancient cities of Naffur and Ur, March 10, 2009. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Jasmine N. Walthall

U.S. forces and Iraqi officials are working together to restore ancient monuments in Iraq.

Army Brig. Gen. Jefforey Smith, deputy commanding general of support for Multinational Division Central and 10th Mountain Division, and other senior leaders escorted Qahtan Jubouri, Iraq’s minister of tourism and antiquities, through the ancient cities of Ur and Nuffar on March 10.

“The purpose of this visit was to have the minister of tourism and antiquities meet with public state officials to talk about future projects that are under consideration to reconstruct and excavate some of these sites,” Smith said.

Ur is one of the most well-known ancient sites in Iraq. It was once the capital of the ancient civilization of Sumeria. The city is mentioned several times in the Bible as “Ur of the Chaldees,” and is the birthplace of Abraham. It once stood on the banks of the Euphrates prior to the shift in the river, and is home to the best-preserved ziggurat, a raised platform, in Iraq.

Nippur, which is now modern-day Nuffar, is an ancient city in southeastern Iraq. Ruins from a temple that once housed administrative, economic and religious functions are still there. The temple, called E-kur, is said to be the home of the god Enlil, and where man is said to have been created. More than 40,000 tablets have been recovered in the ruins.

Jubouri also met with archeologists from area museums.

“It is humanity’s duty to preserve this site,” Abdul Amir Hamdani, director of the Inspectorate of Dhi Qar, said. “We must take advantage of this duty.”

Hamdani also pointed out that it was “necessary and urgent that more attention and care be paid to the structures in order to maintain the existing buildings.”

Jubouri, along with U.S. forces and local officials, are in the planning stages of restoring the historic monuments.

Looking ahead, “Along with amenities for tourism, we will make it a haven for tourism and bring all the visitors and tourists from all over the world,” Jubouri said.

“It is important that we revitalize this land,” Jubouri added. “The Iraqi people will remember what the American people have done for them.”

DoD
By Army Pfc. Jasmine N. Walthall
Special to American Forces Press Service

Military now giving tours of antiquities in Iraq!

The Great Ziggurat of Ur stands after 4,000 years near Ali Base, Iraq. The Ziggurat construction was finished in the 21st century BC by King Shulgi in the ancient Sumerian city of Ur in Mesopotamia, which is near An Nasiriyah in present-day Iraq. Members of the 407th Air Expeditionary Group Chaplains Office offer three tours weekly of the Ziggurat and ruins of the city of Ur.

Dhaif Muhsen, Iraq Ministry of Antiquities curator for the Ur site, explains the history behind the oldest known standing archway in the world, located in the ruins of the ancient city of Ur

ALI BASE, Iraq — Less than two miles outside the front gate lies an area of historical and biblical significance – a place where the man considered the father of all nations, Abraham, used to call home. This place houses a temple nearby called the Ziggurat of Ur.

The city of Ur (Ur of Chaldeans) is located in southern area of Iraq and was first identified in Genesis 12:28. It is considered the most ancient city within Sumaria and later Babylonia.

The Sumerians were credited with inventing beer, irrigation, the wheel and the first written language.

“The Ziggurat was originally a place of worship for the Sumerians who built it about 4,000 years ago,” said Chaplain Maj. Kevin Lockett, 407th Air Expeditionary Group chaplain. “This was the place civilization, as we know it, began. This was the time when people evolved from individual families who survived as hunters and gatherers into communities where they relied upon each other as farmers, craftsmen and tradesmen. This was one of the first cities known to exist.”

According to Lockett, Abraham, the son of a wealthy merchant, was thought to have lived there during his childhood and part of his adulthood before traveling to Canaan.

Staff Sgt. Ariel Sauvey, 407th Expeditionary Operation Support Squadron, takes in the view of the ruins of King Shulgi's palace from atop the Great Ziggurat of Ur, Feb. 9. The Ziggurat construction was finished in the 21st century BC by King Shulgi in the ancient city of Mesopotamia, which is near An Nasiriyah in present-day Iraq.

A Soldier looks into the dark ruins of a royal tomb, Feb. 9, near the Great Ziggurat of Ur. The tombs were built more than 4,000 years ago in the Sumerian city of Ur in ancient Mesopotamia, near present-day An Nasiriyah, Iraq

Now, services members, Department of Defense civilians and contractors have the opportunity to experience that history by taking a tour of the Ziggurat and Abraham’s home with 407th AEG Chaplains Office. The tour, which averages about 30 people, began several Air and Space Expeditionary Force cycles ago under the guidance of the Chaplain Corps.

Services members who want to take the tour first have to sign up for an orientation and safety briefing. Briefings are held Mondays at 6:30 p.m. at Bedrock Chapel Annex, a week prior to the tour. Tours are held Sundays and Mondays at 2:30 p.m.

During the tour, service members can expect to visit the Ziggurat of Ur, the oldest-known standing archway in the world, a royal palace and tombs of the members of the third dynasty of Ur, and the home of Abraham.

DVIDS
Story by Staff Sgt. Kenya Shiloh

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Adrienne Brammer, 1st Combat Camera Sq., a combat videographer, documents portal guardians marking the entrance to what once was the Northwest palace in the ancient city of Calah, which is now known as Nimrud, Iraq, Nov. 19. Nimrud is in consideration by United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization to become a protected World Heritage site. UNESCO works to create the conditions for genuine dialogue based upon respect for shared values and the dignity of each civilization and culture. Photographer: Staff Sgt. JoAnn Makinano

An Iraqi policeman visits the Northwest palace in the ancient city of Calah, which is now known as Nimrud, Iraq, Nov. 19. Nimrud is in consideration by United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization to become a protected World Heritage site. UNESCO works to create the conditions for genuine dialogue based upon respect for shared values and the dignity of each civilization and culture. Photographer: Staff Sgt. JoAnn Makinano

U.S. Soldiers from Crazy Horse Troop, 1st Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment provide security for the Provincial Reconstruction Team and representatives of United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization visiting the ancient city of Ashur, the site is now known as Qalat Shergat, Iraq, Nov. 21. Ashur is one of three areas in Iraq that is a World Heritage site. Photographer: Staff Sgt. JoAnn Makinano

Provincial Reconstruction Team members and representatives of United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization explore the remains of the ancient city of Ashur, the site is now known as Qalat Shergat, Iraq, Nov. 21. Ashur is one of three areas in Iraq that is a World Heritage site. Photographer: Staff Sgt. JoAnn Makinano

The relief represents the evil-eye watching over the Shrine of Hatra, in Hatra, Iraq, Nov. 20. Hatra is one of three areas in Iraq that is a World Heritage site. United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, works to create the conditions for genuine dialogue based upon respect for shared values and the dignity of each civilization and culture. Photographer: Staff Sgt. JoAnn Makinano

An Iraqi man collects rubble in the Shrine of Hatra, in Hatra, Iraq, Nov. 20. Hatra is one of three areas in Iraq that is a World Heritage site. United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, works to create the conditions for genuine dialogue based upon respect for shared values and the dignity of each civilization and culture. Photographer: Staff Sgt. JoAnn Makinano