Deployed Soldiers tour Great Ziggurat of Ur

Multi-National Force - Iraq ^ | Spc. Shane P.S. Begg, USA

[SandRat]

An Iraqi tour guide looks on as Soldiers from the 4th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade, 1st Armored Division explore what is thought to be the biblical home of Abraham. The ruins were discovered near the Great Ziggurat of Ur, built by the Sumerians four thousand years ago to honor their moon god, Nanna. Photo courtesy of the 1st Armored Division.

COB ADDER — More than 40 Soldiers from 4th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade, 1st Armored Division "Strike Force," were recently given the opportunity to tour the historical Great Ziggurat of Ur here.

A local Iraqi man who has lived his entire life next to the site and has spent many hours studying the history and culture of the people, Dhaif, offered to provide a tour for the STB Soldiers.

The ziggurat was built by the Sumerians over four thousand years ago under the rule of King Ur-Nammu.

It served as a temple to the Sumerian moon god Nanna.

"It is a rare opportunity to be able to visit a site with such biblical and historical significance," said Staff Sgt. Miriam Mountain. "I highly recommend this tour to all Soldiers living on or visiting COB Adder."

Dhaif explained the historical significance of the site and touched on some of the ongoing restoration and excavation projects.

"We also visited what is believed to be the home of Terah and Abraham, the father of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam," said Spc. Courtney Sloat, a medic from Grand Blan, Mich.

Upon the completion of the tour, the Soldiers were able gather at the base of the ancient step pyramid for a few photographs before returning to COB Adder.

[SandRat]

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[Marie]

My husband went on my behalf last spring. :-)

[allmost]

I’d really like to see that.

[Psycho_Bunny]

A Marine reserve from my work was stationed there. I talked to him about it and said "Wow...I would have loved to see that...you know that's one of the oldest cities on earth?"

To which he replied, "And they're still (crapping) in holes there."

[PGalt]

Fascinating. Thanks for posting.

ping

[The Magical Mischief Tour]

Great Ziggurat of Ur

Sounds like a name from a H.P. Lovecraft book...

[onedoug]

Very cool. Thanks, SR.

Google Great Ziggurat of Ur to see some more interesting images.

s, ping.

[STD]

Absolutely false crap “We also visited what is believed to be the home of Terah and Abraham, the father of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam,” islam has nothing to do with Abraham, other than trying to kill all his descendants! Animals

[STD]

Absolutely false crap “We also visited what is believed to be the home of Terah and Abraham, the father of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam,” islam has nothing to do with Abraham, other than trying to kill all his descendants! Animals

[Petronski]

...Ziggurat of Ur...

No disrespect to anyone, just a question:

Could I use that in Scrabble?

[gorgiboy]

Abraham was the father of Isacc and Ishmael. The Muslim’s believe it was Ishmael laying on the sacrificial alter, not Isacc! So, yes it could be said that Abraham was the father of both!

[Marie]

LOL!

[SunkenCiv]

Spc. Courtney Sloat, a medic from Grand Blanc, Mich

[SunkenCiv]

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[blam]

Ur was a seside town when Abraham lived there. It’s about 100 miles inland now.

[grellis]

If you would like to be added or dropped from the Michigan ping list, please freepmail me.

Pretty certain it should read that Specialist Sloat is from Grand Blanc.

[haroldeveryman]

Great post. Do the Iraqis have any plans to develop the place for tourism?

Besides being the birth place of Abraham, Ur was the center of what I believe most archaeologists consider to be the earliest civilized city.

The city was built by a people called the Sumerians whose origins are unknown, at least as far as I know. They were eventually absorbed by the local Semites who seem to have lived in harmony with them. Abraham was likely one of their chiefs.

[SandRat]

and Al-Bore says the seas are rising threatening us all becase of gore-bull warming, sheeeeesh! What a mor-roooon!

[SandRat]

Haven’t heard of any plans.