Page "Ur" Paragraph 8

The second source of information is archaeological work in modern Iraq.

Although the early centuries ( first half of the third millennium and earlier ) are still poorly understood, the archaeological discoveries have shown unequivocally that Ur was a major urban center on the Mesopotamian plain.

Especially the discovery of the Royal Tombs have confirmed its splendour.

These tombs, which date to the Early Dynastic IIIa period ( approximately in the 25th or 24th century BC ), contained immense amounts of luxury items made out of precious metals, and semi-precious stones all of which would have had to been imported from long distances ( Iran, Afghanistan, India, Asia Minor, the Persian Gulf ).

This up to then unparalleled wealth is a testimony of Ur's economic importance during the Early Bronze Age.