Ur - (Archaeological Histories) by Harriet Crawford (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

The ancient Mesoptamian city of Ur was a Sumerian city state which flourished as a centre of trade and civilisation between 2800-2000 BCE. However, in the recent past it suffered from the disastrous Gulf war and from neglect. It still remains a potent symbol for people of all faiths and will have an important role to play in the future.

This account of Ur's past looks at both the ancient city and its evolution over centuries, and its archaeological interpretation in more recent times. From the 19th century explorers and their identification of the site of Mukayyar as the Biblical city of Ur, the study proceeds to look in detail at the archaeologist Leonard Woolley and his key discoveries during the 1920s and 30s. Using the findings as a framework and utilising the latest evidence from environmental, historical and archaeological studies, the volume explores the site's past in chronological order from the Ubaid period in the 5th millennium to the death of Alexander. It looks in detail at the architectural remains: the sacred buildings, royal graves and also the private housing which provides a unique record of life 4000 years ago. The volume also describes the part played by Ur in the Gulf war and discusses the problems raised for archaeologists in the war's aftermath.

Review Quotes

"The site has a future, and this volume is a timely and succinct introduction to it." --Times Literary Supplement

"This enjoyable book is accessible for those new to the subject, but informative enough for students of Mesopotamian archaeology." --Current World Archaeology

"Crawford presents an excellent book on the history of the city of Ur." --Revue Biblique (Bloomsbury translation)

"The remains of Ur in southern Iraq must rank among the most important archaeological sites in the world. Covering a period from the sixth millennium BC to the withdrawal of American troops following the Gulf War, Harriet Crawford provides a lively, authoritative and very welcome account of the excavations and the cultural and historical significance of one of the world's first cities." --Paul Collins, Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford, UK

"This is a brisk and well-informed account of one of ancient Mesopotamia's most important early cities. Ur's wealth, global connections, and technological innovations are clearly described, and the challenges of the southern Mesopotamian environment are eloquently delineated. As well as writing a detailed biography of the extraordinary city of Ur, Dr Crawford gives us a quick history of archaeological discoveries and methods in South Iraq and an outline of Mesopotamia's cultural and historical developments, from the 6th through 1st millennium BC." --Augusta McMahon, Senior Lecturer in Archaeology, University of Cambridge, UK

"The ancient city of Ur and with it, the culture and history of early Mesopotamia come to life in Harriet Crawford's engaging and well-illustrated exploration of one of Iraq's most important archaeological sites." --Karen Radner, Professor of Ancient Near Eastern History, Univeristy College London, UK

"In this well illustrated volume Dr Crawford brings back to life the city of Ur in south Iraq. She recounts the archaeological exploration of the site, principally on the part of Sir Leonard Woolley, whose excavation of the Royal Cemetery was one of the great discoveries of the early 20th century. Following the art and architecture of the citizens from prehistory down to the dynasty of Nebuchadnezzar, she gives a lively survey of this legendary political capital, enhanced by details from other cities. This is a readable and informative book and an excellent introduction to the civilization of Mesopotamia." --Nicholas Postgate, Emeritus Professor, Trinity College, University of Cambridge, UK

"Archaeologist Crawford provides a well-written, popular account of what scholars have learned from excavations at the legendary ancient Mesopotamian city of Ur ... Summing Up: Highly recommended. General, public, and undergraduate collections." --W. Kotter, Weber State University, CHOICE

About the Author

Harriet Crawford is Senior Fellow at the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, University of Cambridge, and Reader Emerita at the Institute of Archaeology, University College London, UK. Her published works include Sumer and the Sumerians (2004), Dilmun and its Gulf Neighbours (1998) and The Sumerian World (2012). She has excavated in Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait and Syria.