Eridu Archaeological Site

Dhi Qar Governorate, Iraq

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The Eridu Archaeological Site in Dhi Qar Governorate, Iraq, is widely regarded as one of the oldest cities in the world and one of the earliest urban centers of the Sumerian civilization. Founded around 5500 BCE, Eridu is traditionally described in ancient Mesopotamian texts as the first city where kingship descended from heaven, giving it a special place in Sumerian history and mythology. The city was a major religious center dedicated to Enki (later known as Ea), the god of wisdom, water, and creation. Archaeologists have uncovered the remains of numerous temples built one atop another over thousands of years, along with a ziggurat and evidence of some of the earliest forms of organized urban life. Today, Eridu’s ruins provide valuable insight into the origins of cities, religion, and civilization in ancient Mesopotamia. Recognizing its outstanding historical importance, the site was included in the UNESCO World Heritage property known as the Ahwar of Southern Iraq in 2016.