Ancient Near East

The History of Plumbing - Babylon

Plumbing has a long and fascinating history dating back to ancient civilizations. One of the earliest known examples of plumbing systems was found in ancient Babylon. The Babylonians, around 4000-3000 BC, were among the first to develop elaborate plumbing systems. They constructed canals, aqueducts, and water pipes made of clay and lead to transpo...

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NASA Observatorium Education- Ubar: The Lost City

The legend goes like this: Ubar, a rich and fabulous trading center of ancient Arabia rose out of the desert and then mysteriously vanished back into the sands. References to Ubar in the Koran, the Arabian Nights, and countless Bedouin tales told around desert campfires have captivated the imaginations of explorers and archaeologists. But all searc...

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State Archives of Assyria

The State Archives of Assyria is a collection of clay tablets and fragments dating back to the Assyrian Empire. These archives provide valuable insights into the administrative, economic, and social aspects of one of the most powerful empires in ancient Mesopotamia. Discovered in modern-day Iraq, these clay tablets are written in cuneiform script,...

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Storytelling, the Meaning of Life, and the Epic of Gilgamesh

Storytelling has always been a fundamental part of human culture and society. It serves as a means to pass down traditions, share knowledge, and connect with others on a deeper level. One of the most enduring themes in storytelling is the exploration of the meaning of life. Throughout history, various myths, legends, and epics have grappled with t...

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Manumission and Bridewealth Document

Manumission and Bridewealth Document (14th cent. BC?)TRANSLATION by K. C. Hanson (Adapted from Finkelstein 1969:546). Language: Akkadian; Medium: Clay tablet; Size: 43 centimeters long 5 centimeters wide; Length: 25 lines of writing Genre: Manumission & Marriage Contract Approximate Date: 14th cent. BC? Place of Discovery: Ugarit acropolis, Ras...

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Tell Ahmar Excavations

Til Barsib (also spelled Til Barsip; also called Tell Ahmar) is located along the eastern bank of the Euphrates River, c.100km northeast of Aleppo, Syria. The site (enclosed by a D-shaped fortification wall) is situated on the edge of a terrace, on elevated ground, overlooking the alluvial plain of the Euphrates....

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A history of ancient Babylon

Babylonia, A history of ancient Babylon (Babylonia) including its cities, laws, kings and legacy to civilization. Babylonia (Babylonian BÃ-bili,"gate of God"; Old Persian Babirush),Was the ancient country of Mesopotamia, known originally as Sumer and later as Sumer and Akkad, lying between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, south of modern BaghdÃ-d...

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The Nation of Iraq

History, Geography, Business, Culture, Transportation and more. ArabNet...

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Lost City of Arabia

The Lost City of Arabia has long been a subject of fascination and mystery for historians, archaeologists, and adventurers alike. Tucked away in the vast deserts of the Arabian Peninsula, this ancient city is said to have been a thriving metropolis with advanced architecture, innovative water management systems, and a rich cultural heritage. Legen...

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Sumerian Beer:

Did beer come before bread? To answer the question scholars helped concoct a Mesopotamian brew from a 3,800-year-old recipe etched in clay. By Solomon H. Katz and Fritz Maytag....

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