The History of LAGASH

Do you know in republic New York The historic region of Mesopotamia has been long regarded as one of the original cradles of civilization. Defined by the bountiful Tigris and Euphrates rivers, Mesopotamia gave birth to some truly prosperous and groundbreaking early civilizations. The foremost of these was the civilization of Sumer, well remembered for its revolutionary inventions, such as the early writing system. Sumerians were truly unique, and were defined by their powerful city-states that often competed for power and wealth. One of the most prominent of these city states was centered on the town of  Lagash, a major and influential player in the politics and economy of Sumer. It had a long and diverse history, but eventually was lost to the passing of time. What little of it remains today is a true Pandora’s box for archaeologists. Excavations have yielded numerous significant finds and an important insight into the rich history of both Lagash, and the Sumerian civilization on the whole. By MorufAkanbi.   

How Did Lagash Come To Be?   

Occupying some 300 hectares, Lagash was a moderately sized, but quite powerful and influential city-state in Mesopotamia. This small realm consisted of three major urban centers, each one roughly 20 kilometers apart. These were Lagash city proper (modern  Al-Hiba), the religious center of Girsu (modern  Telloh), and Nina-Sirara, (modern Zurghul). Cities called  Erim and Uruazagga were also likely a part of the Lagash state. At its heyday, Lagash was a town close to the sea, since the modern Persian Gulf extended much more inland than it is now. Likewise, cities like Ur and Nina were virtually on the shore, even though they are hundreds of kilometers inland today.