“When the kingship from the heavens was lowered,/the kingship was in Eridu.” --Sumerian Kings List
Founded circa 5400 BCE, Eridu was considered the first city by the ancient Sumerians. Said to have been built by the gods and home to the Sumerian water god, it is thought to be the inspiration for the the Garden of Eden.
Founded circa 5400 BCE, Eridu was considered the first city by the ancient Sumerians. Said to have been built by the gods and home to the Sumerian water god, it is thought to be the inspiration for the the Garden of Eden.
RUINY ERIDU
Photograph
Tais Gilo
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This photograph of the Tel abu Shahrain archaeological site near Basra, Iraq was taken by Russian photographer Tais Gilo. Tel abu Shahrain was first excavated in 1855 by British archaeologists. From archaeological investigation it was determined that the city of Eridu covered 25 acres of land in Southern Iraq.
Photograph
Tais Gilo
~一~
This photograph of the Tel abu Shahrain archaeological site near Basra, Iraq was taken by Russian photographer Tais Gilo. Tel abu Shahrain was first excavated in 1855 by British archaeologists. From archaeological investigation it was determined that the city of Eridu covered 25 acres of land in Southern Iraq.
RECONSTRUCTION OF THE PIER OF ERIDU
Painting
Balage Balogh
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Six thousand years ago (ca. 3000 BCE) the Persian Gulf extended further into Iraq, putting Eridu on the the gulf’s coast. This naval passage allowed for the people of Eridu to have relations with their ancient contemporary, Uruk (biblically known as Erech).
Painting
Balage Balogh
~一~
Six thousand years ago (ca. 3000 BCE) the Persian Gulf extended further into Iraq, putting Eridu on the the gulf’s coast. This naval passage allowed for the people of Eridu to have relations with their ancient contemporary, Uruk (biblically known as Erech).
MODEL OF TEMPLE VIII
Model
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The most impressive archaeological discovery at Tel Abu Shahrain was the excavation of of Temple VII. This was the grandest example of architecture in Mesopotamia at the time. Temple VII was known as E-abzu. It was this city’s Abzu temple that was dedicated to their patron god, Enki. In Sumerian cosmology, Abzu was the Primeval Sea from which the universe was born.
Model
~一~
The most impressive archaeological discovery at Tel Abu Shahrain was the excavation of of Temple VII. This was the grandest example of architecture in Mesopotamia at the time. Temple VII was known as E-abzu. It was this city’s Abzu temple that was dedicated to their patron god, Enki. In Sumerian cosmology, Abzu was the Primeval Sea from which the universe was born.