Lagash - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.

org/wiki/Lagash

Lagash
Lagash[4]/ˈleɪɡæʃ/ (cuneiform: ���� LAGAŠKI;
Lagash
Sumerian: Lagaš) was an ancient city state located
northwest of the junction of the Euphrates and Tigris rivers
and east of Uruk, about 22 kilometres (14 mi) east of the
modern town of Al-Shatrah, Iraq. Lagash (modern Al-Hiba
in Dhi Qar Governorate) was one of the oldest cities of the
Ancient Near East. The ancient site of Nina (Tell Zurghul) is
around 10 km (6.2 mi) away and marks the southern limit
of the state. Nearby Girsu (modern Telloh), about 25 km
(16 mi) northwest of Lagash, was the religious center of the Lagash
Lagash state. The Lagash state's main temple was the
E-ninnu at Girsu, dedicated to the god Ningirsu. The
Lagash state incorporated the ancient cities of Lagash,
Girsu, Nina.[5]
Shown within Iraq

History Alternative name Al-Hiba

Location Al-Shatrah, Dhi Qar
Though some Uruk period pottery shards were found in a
Governorate, Iraq
surface survey, significant occupation at the site of Lagash
Region Mesopotamia
began early in the 3rd Millennium BC, in the Early Dynastic
I period (c. 2900-2600 BC), surface surveys and Coordinates 31°24′41″N
excavations show that the peak occupation, with an area of 46°24′26″E
about 500 hectares occurred during the Early Dynastic III Type Settlement
period (c. 2500–2334 BC). The later corresponds with what Area 400 to 600 ha
is now called the First Dynasty of Lagash.[6] Lagash then
History
came under the control of the Akkadian Empire for several
centuries. With the fall of that empire, Lagash had a period Founded 3rd millennium BC

of revival as an independent power during the 2nd Dynasty Periods Early Dynastic,
of Lagash before coming under the control of the 3rd Sargonic, Ur III
Dynasty of Ur. After the fall of Ur, there was some modest Site notes
occupation in the Isin-Larsa and Old Babylonian periods.[7] Excavation dates 1887, 1968-1976,
Lagash was then largely deserted until a Seleucid era 1990, 2019-present
fortress was built there in the 2nd century BC.[8]
Archaeologists Robert Koldewey,
Vaughn E.
First dynasty of Lagash (c. 2500–2300 BC) Crawford, Donald
P. Hansen
The dynasties of Lagash are not found on the Sumerian
King List (SKL) despite being a power in the Early Dynastic
period and a major city in the centuries that followed. One tablet, from the later Old Babylonian
period and known as The Rulers of Lagash, was described by its translator as "rather fanciful" and

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is generally considered to be a satirical parody of the SKL.

The thirty listed rulers, in the style of the SKL, having
improbable reigns, include seven known rulers from the
1st Dynasty of Lagash, including Ur-Nanshe, "Ane-tum",
En-entar-zid, Ur-Ningirsu, Ur-Bau, and Gudea.[9][10]

Little is known of the first two rulers of Lagash. En-hegal

is believed to be the first ruler of Lagash. A tablet with his
name describes a business transaction, in which a
possible King En-hegal buys land.[11] Both his status and
date are disputed.[12] He was followed by Lugalshaengur
about whom also little is known.[13] Mesilim, who called
himself King of Kish though it is uncertain which city he
was from, named Lugalshaengur as an "ensi" of Lagash Location of Lagash before the expansion of
on a mace head.[14] the Akkadian Empire (in green). The
territory of Sumer appears in orange. Circa
2350 BC
Ur-Nanshe
While many details like the length of reign are not known
for the next ruler, Ur-Nanshe, a number of his inscriptions
have been found, most at Lagash with one stele at Ur, which
along with Umma, he claimed to have conquered in battle.[15]
Almost all deal with the construction of temples, one details
how he "built the wester[n] channel at the side of Sa[la]/
channel at the side of S[al] (against) the Amorites". He is
described as the "son of Gu-NI.DU" (occasionally as "son of
Gur:SAR"), and his inscriptions list a number of sons and
daughters.[16] Several inscription say "He [had the ships of Relief of Ur-Nanshe. At the top he
Dil]mun sub[mit] [timber] (to Lagaß) as tribute." His son creates the foundation for a shrine,
Akurgal ruled briefly after him.[17] at the bottom he presides over the
dedication (Louvre).

Eannatum
The next ruler, Eannatum (earlier referred to as "Eannadu"), son of Akurgal and grandson of Ur-
Nanshe, turned Lagash into an major power extending throughout large areas of Mesopotamia and
to the east as well. In an inscription found at ancient Adab:

"Eannatum, ruler of Lagash, granted strength by Enlil, nourished with special milk by
Ninhursag, nominated by Ningirsu, chosen in her heart by Nanshe, son of Akurgal ruler of
Lagash, defeated mountainous Elam, defeated Urua, defeated Umma, defeated Ur. At that
time, he built a well of fired bricks for Ningirsu in his (Ningirsu’s) broad courtyard. His
personal god is Shulultul. Then, Ningirsu loved Eannatum."[18]

Another inscription detail his destruction of "Kiß, Akßak, and Mari at a place named Antasur". He
also claimed to have taken the city of Akshak and killed its king, Zuzu.[19] Eannatum took the city

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of Uru'az on the Persian Gulf, and exacted tribute as far as

Mari; however, many of the realms he conquered were often in
revolt.[20] During his reign, temples and palaces were repaired
or erected at Lagash and elsewhere and canals and reservoirs
were excavated.[21] During his reign, Dilmun was a major
trading partner.[22]

A long running border dispute, dating back at least to the time

of Lugalshaengur, existed between the city-states of Umma and
Lagash.[23] In the time of Umma ruler Mesilim a formal border
was established. Eannatum restored the border, including the
boundary markers of Mesilim.

"Eanatum, ruler of Lagash, uncle of Enmetena ruler of

Lagash, demarcated the border with Enakale, ruler of
Umma. He extended the [boundary-]channel from the
Nun-channel to Guʾedena, leaving a 215-nindan [=
Entemena's inscribed silver vase, c.
1,290 meters] [strip] of Ningirsu’s land under Umma’s 2400 BC (Louvre)
control, establishing a no-man’s land there. He
inscribed [and erected] monuments at that
[boundary-]channel, and restored the monument of
Mesalim, but did not cross into the plain of Umma.
"[24]

In c. 2450 BC, Lagash and the neighboring city of Umma fell

out with each other after a border dispute over the Guʾedena, a
fertile area lying between them. As described in Stele of the
Vultures, of which only a portion has been found (7 fragments),
the current king of Lagash, Eannatum, inspired by the patron
god of his city, Ningirsu, set out with his army to defeat the
nearby city.[26] According to the Stele's engravings, when the Eannatum, King of Lagash, riding a
two sides met each other in the field, Eannatum dismounted war chariot (detail of the Stele of the
from his chariot and proceeded to direct his men on foot. After Vultures). His name "Eannatum"
(����) is written vertically in
lowering their spears, the Lagash army advanced upon the
two columns in front of his head.
army from Umma in a dense phalanx.[27] After a brief clash, Louvre Museum.
Eannatum and his army had gained victory over the army of
Umma. This battle is one of the earliest depicted organised
battles known to scholars and historians.[28]

Eannatum was succeeded by his brother, En-anna-tum I. Given the many inscriptions his reign is
assumed to be of some length. Most of them detailed the usual temple construction. On long tablet
described the continued conflict with Umma:

"For the god Hendursag, chief herald of the Abzu En-anatum, [ru]ler of [Laga]ß ... When

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the god Enlil(?)], for the god [Nin]g[ir]s[u], took

[Gu'edena] from the hands of Gisa (Umma) and filled
En-anatum’s hands with it, Ur-LUM-ma, ruler of Gisa
(Umma), [h]i[red] [(mercenaries from) the foreign
lands] and transgressed the boun[da]ry-channel of the
god Ningirsu (and said): ... En-anatum crushed Ur-
LUM-ma, ruler of Gisa (Umma) as far as E-kisura
(“Boundary) Channel”) of the god Ninœirsu. He
Vase of King Gishakidu, king of
pursued him into the ... of (the town) LUM-ma-
Umma, and son of Ur-Lumma,
girnunta. (En-anatum) gagged (Ur-LUM-ma) (against giving the city of Umma's account of
future land claims)"[14] its long-running border dispute with
Lagash. The vase redefines the
frontier by recording the locations of
The conflict from the Umma side of things from its ruler Ur- stelae to the god Shara, as well as
Lumma: the distances between them. Circa
2350 BC. From Umma, Iraq. Ref.
"Urlumma, ruler of Umma, diverted water into the 140889, British Museum,
boundary-channel of Ningirsu and the boundary- London.[25]
channel of Nan-she. He set fire to their monuments
and smashed them, and destroyed the established
chapels of the gods that were built on the boundary-
levee called Namnunda-kigara. He recruited
foreigners and transgressed the boundary-ditch of
Ningirsu."[29]

Entemena
The next ruler, Entemena increased the power of Lagash during his rule. A number of inscriptions
from his reign are known.[30][31] He was a contemporary of Lugalkinishedudu of Uruk.[32]

Entemena was succeeded by his brother Enannatum II, with only one known inscription where he
"restored for the god Ningirsu his brewery".[14] He was followed by two more minor rulers,
Enentarzi (only one inscription from his 5 year reign, which mentions his daughter Gem[e]-Baba),
and Lugalanda (several inscriptions, one mentions his wife Bara-namtara) the son of Enentarzi.
The last ruler of Lagash, Urukagina, was known for his judicial, social, and economic reforms, and
his may well be the first legal code known to have existed.[33][34] He was defeated by Lugalzagesi,
beginning when Lugalzagesi was ruler of Umma and culminating as ruler of Uruk, bringing an end
to the First Dynasty of Lagash.[35] About 1800 cuneiform tablets from the reigns of the last three
rulers of Lagash, of an administrative nature, have been found, mostly.[36][37][38] The tablets are
mostly from the "woman’s quarter" also known as the temple of the goddess Babu. It was under the
control of the Queen.[39]

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Proposed
Ruler Notes
reign

(En-hegal) c. 2570 BC One inscription known, recording a purchase of land.[40]

High priest or ensi. Mentioned as Ensi of Lagash in a unique

inscription on the macehead of Mesilim: “Mesilim, king of Kish,
(Lugalshaengur) c. 2550 BC
builder of the temple of Ningirsu, brought [this mace head] for
Ningirsu, Lugalshaengur [being] prince of Lagash”.[41]

Ur-Nanshe
c. 2520 BC King ("Lugal")
(Ur-nina)

Akurgal c. 2460 BC King, son of Ur-Nanshe

Grandson of Ur-Nanshe, king, took Sumer away from

Eannatum c. 2450 BC Enshagkushana of Uruk and repulsed the armies of Kish, Elam and
Mari

brother to Eanatum, high priest, Ur-Luma and Illi of Umma, as well as

Enannatum I c. 2420 BC
Kug-Bau of Kish gained independence from him.

Son of Enanatum I, king, contemporary with Lugal-ure (or

Entemena c. 2400 BC
Lugalkinishedudu) of Uruk and defeated Illi of Umma

Enannatum II c. 2370 BC Son of Entemena, last member of the dynasty of Ur-Nanshe.

Enentarzi c. 2360 BC A priest of Lagash.

Lugalanda c. 2355 BC

king, defeated by Lugalzagesi of Uruk, issued a proclamation of

Urukagina c. 2350 BC
social reforms.

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The cuneiform text states that The name "Lagash"

Enannatum I reminds the gods of (���) in vertical
his prolific temple achievements cuneiform of the time of Ur-
in Lagash. Circa 2400 BC. From Nanshe.
Girsu, Iraq. The British Museum,
London

The Anzû, symbol of Lagash, in a

Master of Animals motif, at the
time of Entemena.

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The armies of Lagash led by Lancers of the army of Lagash

Eannatum in their conflict against against Umma
Umma.

Under the Akkadian Empire

In his conquest of Sumer circa 2300 BC, Sargon of Akkad, after conquering and destroying Uruk,
then conquered Ur and E-Ninmar and "laid waste" the territory from Lagash to the sea, and from
there went on to conquer and destroy Umma, and he collected tribute from Mari and Elam. He
triumphed over 34 cities in total.[42]

Sargon's son and successor Rimush faced widespread revolts, and had to reconquer the cities of Ur,
Umma, Adab, Lagash, Der, and Kazallu from rebellious ensis.[43]

Rimush introduced mass slaughter and large scale destruction of the Sumerian city-states, and
maintained meticulous records of his destruction.[43] Most of the major Sumerian cities were
destroyed, and Sumerian human losses were enormous: for the cities of Ur and Lagash, he records
8,049 killed, 5,460 "captured and enslaved" and 5,985 "expelled and annihilated".[43][44]

A Victory Stele in several fragments (three in total, Louvre Museum AO 2678)[45] has been
attributed to Rimush on stylistic and epigraphical grounds. One of the fragments mentions Akkad
and Lagash.[46] It is thought that the stele represents the defeat of Lagash by the troops of
Akkad.[47] The stele was excavated in ancient Girsu, one of the main cities of the territory of
Lagash.[46]

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Fragments of the Victory Stele of Possible victory stele of king

Rimush. The Victory Stele also Rimush (front).[48] Generally
has an epigraphic fragment, attributed to Rimush on stylistic
mentioning Akkad and Lagash.[46] grounds.[49]
It suggests the stele represents
the defeat of Lagash by the
troops of Akkad.[47]

Detail Man of Lagash, circa 2270 BC,

from the Victory Stele.[50] The
same hairstyle can be seen in
other statues from Lagash.[51]

Second dynasty of Lagash (c. 2230–2110 BC)

During the reigns of the first two rulers of this dynasty Lugal-ushumgal (under Naram-Sin and
Shar-Kali-Sharri) and Puzur-Mama (under Shar-kali-shari), Lagash was still under the control of
the Akkadian Empire. It has been suggested that another governor, Ur-e, fell between them.[52]
After the death of Shar-Kali-shari Puzur-Mama declared Lagash independent (known from an
inscription that may also mention Elamite ruler Kutik-Inshushinak). This independence appears to
have been tenuous as Akkadian Empire ruler Dudu reports taking booty from there.[14]

With the fall of Akkad, Lagash achieved full independence under Ur-Ningirsu I (not to be confused

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with the later Lagash ruler named Ur-Ningirsu, the son of

Gudea). Unlike the 1st Dynasty of Lagash, this series of rulers
used year names. Two of Ur-Ningirsu are known including
"year: Ur-Ningirsu (became) ruler". His few inscriptions are
religious in nature.[53] Almost nothing is known of his son and
successor.[54] The next three rulers, Lu-Baba, Lugula, and Kaku
are known only from their first year names. The following
ruler, Ur-Baba, is notable mainly because three of his
daughters married later rulers of Lagash, Gudea, Nam-mahani,
and Ur-gar.[55] His inscriptions are all of a religious nature,
including building or restoring the "Eninnu, the White
Thunderbird".[56] Five of his year names are known. At this
point Lagash is still at best a small local power. In some case
the absolute order of rulers is not known with complete
certainty.[57]

Gudea Gudea of Lagash (ruled c.

2144–2124 BC). Diorite statue found
While the Gutians had partially filled the power vacuum left by at Girsu (Louvre Museum)
the fall of the Akkadian Empire, under Gudea Lagash entered a
period of independence marked by riches and power.[58]
Thousands of inscriptions of various sorts have been found from his reign and an untold number of
statues of Gudea.[59] A number of cuneiform tablets of an administrative nature, from Gudea's rule
were found at nearby Girsu.[60] Also found at Girsu were the famous Gudea cylinders which
contain the longest known text in the Sumerian language.[61][62] He was prolific at temple building
and restoring.[63] He is known to have conducted some military operations to the east against
Anshan and Elam.[64][65] Twenty of Gudea's year names are known. All are of a religious nature
except for one that marks the building of a canal and year six "Year in which the city of Anszan was
smitten by weapons".[66] While the conventional view has been that the reign of Gudea fell well
before that of Ur-Nammu, ruler of Ur, and during a time of Gutian power, a number of researchers
contend that Gudea's rule overlaps with that of Ur-Nammu and the Gutians had already been
defeated.[67] This view is strengthened by the fact that Ur-Baba appointed Enanepada as high
preiestess of Ur while Naram-Sin of Akkad had appointed her predecessor Enmenana and Ur-
Namma of Ur appointed her successor Ennirgalana.[68]

Gudea was succeeded by his son Ur-Ningirsu, followed by Ur-gar. Little is known about either
aside from an ascension year name each and a small handful of inscriptions. It has been suggested
that two other brief rulers fit into the sequence here, Ur-ayabba and Ur-Mama but the evidence for
that is thin.[69] Two tablets dated to the reign of Ur-Nammu of Ur refer to Ur-ayabba as "ensi" of
Lagash, meaning governor in Ur III terms and king in Lagash.[68]

Nam-mahani
Little is known of the next ruler aside from his ascension year name and a handful of religious
inscriptions. Nam-mahani is primarily known for being defeated by Ur-Nammu, first ruler of the

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Ur III empire and being considered the last ruler of the second dynasty of Lagash (often called the
Gudean Dynasty). In the prologue of the Code of Ur-Nammu it states "He slew Nam-ha-ni the ensi
of Lagash".[70] A number of his inscriptions were defaced and the statues of Nam-mahani and his
wife were beheaded (the head were not found with the statues by Ur-Nammu in what is usually
called an act of Damnatio memoriae.[59]

Proposed reign (middle

Ruler Notes
chronology)

(Lugal- Vassal of Akkadian Empire rulers Naram-Sin and

c. 2230-2210 BC
ushumgal) Shar-Kali-Sharri

(Puzer-Mama) c. 2210 BC Wrested independence from the Akkadian Empire

Ur-Ningirsu
c. 2205 BC
I[71]

Pirig-me c. 2200 BC Son of Ur-Ningirsu I.[71]

Lu-Baba[71]

Lugula[71]

Kaku[71]

Ur-Baba c. 2164-2144 BC

Gudea c. 2144-2124 BC Son-in-law of Ur-baba

Ur-Ningirsu c. 2124-2119 BC Son of Gudea

Ur-gar c. 2117-2113 BC

Nam-mahani c. 2113-2110 BC Grandson of Kaku, defeated by Ur-Nammu

Under the Ur III Empire

Under the control of Ur, the Lagash state (Lagash. Girsu, and Nigin) were the largest and most
prosperous province of the empire. Such was its importance that the second highest official in the
empire, the Grand Vizier, resided there.[72][73][74][75] The name of one governor of Lagash under
Ur is known, Ir-Nanna. After the fifth year of the last Ur II ruler, Ibbi-Sin, his year name was no
longer used at Lagash, indicating Ur no longer controlled that city.[76]

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Archaeology
Lagash is one of the largest
archaeological sites in the
region, measuring roughly
3.5 kilometers north to
south and 1.5 kilometers
east to west though is
relatively low being only 6
meters above the plain level
at maximum. Much of the
older area is under the
At the time of Hammurabi, Lagash
current water table and not
was located near the shoreline of
available for research. A
the gulf.
drone survey determined
that Lagash developed on
four marsh islands some of which were gated.[77] The notion
that the city was marsh-based is in contention.[78] Estimates of Goddess Nisaba with an inscription
of Entemena, ruler of Lagash (2430
its area range from 400 to 600 hectares (990 to 1,480 acres).
BC), steatite, Vorderasiatisches
The site is divided by the bed of a canal/river, which runs Museum Berlin
diagonally through the mound. The site was first excavated, for
six weeks, by Robert Koldewey in 1887.[79] It was inspected
during a survey of the area by Thorkild Jacobsen and Fuad Safar in 1953, finding the first evidence
of its identification as Lagash.[80] The major polity in the region of al-Hiba and Tello had formerly
been identified as ŠIR.BUR.LA (Shirpurla).[81]

Tell Al-Hiba was again explored in five seasons of excavation

between 1968 and 1976 by a team from the Metropolitan
Museum of Art and the Institute of Fine Arts of New York
University. The team was led by Vaughn E. Crawford, and
included Donald P. Hansen and Robert D. Biggs. Twelve
archaeological layers were found with the bottom 9 being Early
Dynastic and the lowest under the water table. The primary
focus was the excavation of the temple Ibgal of Inanna and the
temple Bagara of Ningirsu, as well as an associated
Remains of the ancient city of
administrative area.[82][83][84][85] The team returned 12 years Lagash
later, in 1990, for a sixth and final season of excavation led by
D. P. Hansen. The work primarily involved areas adjacent to
an, as yet, unexcavated temple Ibgal of the goddess Inanna in the southwest edge of the city. The
Bagara temple of Ningirsu was also worked on. Both were built by Early Dynastic III king
Eannatum. Temples to the goddesses Gatumdag, Nanshe, and Bau are known to have existed but
have not yet been found. A canal linked the E-ninnu temple of Ningirsu at Girsu, the E-sirara
temple of Nanshe at Nigin, and the Bagara temple at Lagash, the three cities being part of one large
state.[86][87][88] In 1984 a surface survey found that most finds were from the Early Dynastic III
period. Small amounts of Uruk, Jemdet Nasr, Isin-Larsa, Old Babylonian and Kassite shards were

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found in isolated areas.[89]

In March–April 2019, field work resumed as the Lagash

Archaeological Project[90] under the directorship of Dr. Holly
Pittman of the University of Pennsylvania's Penn Museum in
collaboration with the University of Cambridge and Sara
Pizzimenti of the University of Pisa. A second season ran from
October to November in 2021. A third season ran from March 6
to April 10, 2022.[91] The work primarily involved the Early
Dynastic Period Area G and Area H locations along with
Geophysical Surveying and Geoarchaeology. The focus was on
an industrial area and associated streets, residences, and kilns.
Aerial mapping of Lagash, both using UAV drone mapping and
satellite imagery was performed.[92] In the fall of 2022 a 4th
season of excavation resumed. Among the finds were a public The name Lagash Ki
eatery with ovens, a refrigeration system, benches, and large (����, "Country of
numbers of bowls and beakers.[93][94][95][96] Lagash") on inscriptions of Gudea,
in monumental linear script and
cuneiform script on clay.
Archaeological remains

Area A (Ibgal of Inanna)

Though commonly known as Area A or the Ibgal of Inanna, this temple complex was actually
named Eanna during the Ur periods, while Inanna’s sanctuary within Eanna was known as
Ibgal.[97]

Level I architecture
Level I of Area A was occupied from
Early Dynastic (ED I) to Ur III.[97] It
was used for both daily worship
activities and festive celebrations,
particularly for the queen of Lagash
during the Barley and Malt-eating
festivals of Nanše.[97][98]

Level I consists of an oval wall on the

Northeast end, surrounding an
3-D reconstruction of Area A by Keifuhui (Front)
extensive courtyard. The fragments,
together comparison to another
Sumerian temple at Khafajah, show that the wall should originally be approximately 130m long.[99]

For the temple-building, it is connected to the courtyard with steps. Twenty-five rooms have been
excavated inside the building, in which the western ones would open up to the outside of the
temple with corridors and form a tripartite entrance.[97] Both the temple-building and the oval wall

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were built with plano-convex mud bricks, which was a very common material up to the late Early
Dynastic III period. Additionally, foundations are found under the temple-building. They are
composed of rectangular areas of various sizes, some as solid mud bricks and some as cavities of
broken pieces of alluvial mud and layers of sand, then capped again with mud bricks.[99]

Level II and Level III architecture

Two more levels are present beneath Level
I. Interestingly, all of them are similar to
each other in terms of layout and
construction materials. During the process
of building on top of each other, workers at
that time would choose to destroy some
portions while keeping some others,
leading to much open speculation as to the
3-D reconstruction of Area A by Keifuhui
rationales behind.[100]

Area B (3HB Building and 4HB Building at Bagara of Ningirsu)

The 3HB Building

Three building levels were discovered and 3HB III is the earliest and most well-preserved level.
3HB II and 3HB I shared the same layout with 3HB III. All three levels have a central niched-and-
buttressed building which is surrounded by a low enclosure wall with unknown height.[97]

Building
Building Material[97] Occupation Period[97] Notes[97]
Level

Dimensions:
3HB Building: 24 x 20m
ED IIIB

3HB III
Plano-convex bricks, mud (Eannatum’s rule or Enclosure Wall:
plaster later)
approximately 31m x
25m

Plano-convex bricks, mud

3HB II ED IIIB – Late Akkadian
plaster

Plano-convex bricks, mud

3HB I Late – Post-Akkadian
plaster

An excavator believes that the 3HB Building was a “kitchen temple” that aimed at meeting some of
the god’s demands.[101] Alternatively, it has been suggested that the building was a shrine in the
Bagara complex as it shared more similarities with other temples than kitchens in terms of layout,
features and contents.[97]

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The 4HB Building

The excavators discovered five building levels.
The layout of 4HB V cannot be obtained due to
limited exploration. 4HB IV-4HB I shared the
same layout. 4HB IVB was the first level that was
exposed completely.[97]

3-D reconstruction of Area B by Dcldeobi (Front)

3-D reconstruction of Area B by Dcldeobi (Back)

Building Level Building Material[97] Occupation Period[97] Notes[97]

ED III
4HB V Plano-convex bricks (Evidence from pottery)

ED III
4HB IVA Plano-convex bricks (Evidence from pottery)

Dimensions:
4HB IVB Plano-convex bricks ED IIIB 4HB Building: 23 x 14m

4HB III Plano-convex bricks ED IIIB – Late Akkadian

4HB II Plano-convex bricks Late – Post-Akkadian

Plano-convex bricks
4HB I and flat, square bricks Gudea’s rule

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Lagash - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagash

It has been suggested that the 4HB Building is a brewery as ovens and storage vats and a tablet
mentioning “the brewery” and “a brewer” were found.[101] An alternate proposal is that 4HB
building is a kitchen as it shared lots of similarities with temple kitchens at Ur and Nippur.[97]

Area C
Located 360 meters southeast of Area B. It contains a large Early Dynastic administrative area with
two building levels (1A and 1B). In level 1B were found sealing and tablets of Eanatum, Enanatum
I, and Enmetena.[102]

Area G
Area G is located at the midway of Area B
in the North and Area A in the South.
First excavated by Dr Donald P. Hansen
in season 3H, Area G consists of a
building complex and a curving wall
which are separated by around
30-40m.[97]
3-D reconstruction of Area G by Nic9137

Western Building Complex

5 building levels are found in the area. There is little
information about Levels I and IIA as they were poorly
preserved without sealed floor deposits.[103] In Levels
IIB, III and IV, changes can be found in the building
complex with reconstructions. In Level III, benches are
built near the eastern and northern courtyards.
Sealings made in the “piedmont” style which are found 3-D reconstruction of Area G by Nic9137
in the rooms share a resemblance with the Seal
Impression Strata of Ur and sealings from Inanna
Temple at Nippur,[103] indicating the administrative nature of the buildings. Apart from
institutional objects, fireplaces, bins and pottery were found in the rooms as well.[101]

Curving Wall (Eastern Zone)

A 2-m wide wall that runs from the south to the north is found on the eastern part of Area G. The
features of the curving wall and the rooms found near it are determined to be different from other
oval temples built in the Early Dynastic in other major states. Intrusive vertical drains are found at
the base of the plano-convex foundation.[101] Archaeologists excavated further deeper to the water
level during season 4H and found extensive Early Dynastic I deposits.[97]

See also
▪ List of cities of the ancient Near East

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Lagash - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagash

▪ List of Mesopotamian dynasties

▪ The Sumerian Game

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r.org/stable/4200346).

Further reading
▪ Al-Hamdani, Abdulameer, "The Lagash Plain During the First Sealand Dynasty (1721–1340
BCE)", in Ancient Lagash Current Research and Future Trajectories - Proceedings of the
Workshop held at the 10th ICAANE in Vienna, April 2016, pp. 161–179, 2022
▪ Robert D. Biggs, "Inscriptions from al-Hiba-Lagash : the first and second seasons", Bibliotheca
Mesopotamica. 3, Undena Publications, 1976, ISBN 0-89003-018-9

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▪ R. D. Biggs, "Pre-Sargonic Riddles from Lagash", Journal of Near Eastern Studies, vol. 32, no.
1/2, pp. 26–33, 1973
▪ Vaughn E. Crawford, "Lagash", Iraq, vol. 36, no. 1/2, pp. 29–35, 1974
▪ Foxvog D.A., "Aspects of Name-Giving in Presargonic Lagash", in W. Heimpel – G. Frantz-
Szabó (eds.), Strings and Threads: A Celebration of the Work of Anne Draffkorn Kilmer,
Winona Lake, 59-97, 2011
▪ Goodman, Reed C., Steve Renette, and Elizabeth Carter, "The al-Hiba Survey Revisited", in
Ancient Lagash Current Research and Future Trajectories - Proceedings of the Workshop held
at the 10th ICAANE in Vienna, April 2016, pp. 115–122, 2022
▪ Hansen, D. P., "Lagaš. B. Archäologisch", Reallexikon der Assyriologie und Vorderasiatischen
Archäologie 6: 422–30, 1980–1983
▪ Harper, Prudence O., "Tomorrow We Dig! Excerpts from Vaughn E. Crawford’s Letters and
Newsletters from al-Hiba"., Leaving No Stones Unturned: Essays on the Ancient Near East and
Egypt in Honor of Donald P. Hansen, edited by Erica Ehrenberg, University Park, USA: Penn
State University Press, pp. 89–102, 2002 ISBN 978-1-57506-055-2
▪ Hussey, Mary Inda, "A Statuette of the Founder of the First Dynasty of Lagash", Revue
d'Assyriologie et d'archéologie orientale 28.2, pp. 81–83, 1931
▪ Jagersma, Bram, "The calendar of the funerary cult in ancient Lagash", Bibliotheca Orientalis
64.3, pp. 289–307, 2007
▪ Kenoyer, J. M., "Shell artifacts from Lagash, al-Hiba", Sumer 46 (1/2), pp. 123–144, 1989-1990
▪ [2] (http://www.proyectos.cchs.csic.es/SEL/sites/default/files/01marchesi_1e4ee4d9.pdf)
Marchesi, Gianni, "Notes on Two Alleged Literary Texts from Al-Hiba/Lagaš", Studi Epigrafici e
Linguistici sul Vicino Oriente Antico 16, pp. 3–17, 1999
▪ Maeda T., "Work Concerning Irrigation Canals in Pre-Sargonic Lagash", Acta Sumerologica
Japaniensia 6, 33-53, 1984
▪ Maekawa K., "The Development of the é-mí in Lagash during Early Dynastic III", Mesopotamia
8-9, 77-144, 1973-1974
▪ Mercer, Samuel AB, "Divine service in Early Lagash", Journal of the American Oriental Society,
pp. 91–104, 1922
▪ Mudar, K., "Early Dynastic III animal utilization in Lagash: a report on the fauna of Tell al-Hiba",
Journal of Near Eastern Studies 41 (1), pp. 23–34, 1982
▪ [3] (https://resmilitaris.net/menu-script/index.php/resmilitaris/article/download/513/330)
Muhammed, Qassim M., Muhanad Alrakabi, and Jabbar M. Rashid, "Assessment of natural
radioactivity in building material of the ancient city of Tell-Al Hiba in Thi-Qar southern Iraq", Res
Militaris 12.2, pp. 3551–3561, 2022
▪ Ochsenschlager, Edward, "Mud objects from al-Hiba: a study in ancient and modern
technology", Archaeology 27.3, pp. 162–174, 1974
▪ Pittman, Holly, and Darren P. Ashby, "A Report on the Final Publication of the Excavations of
the Tell al-Hiba Expedition, 1968–1990", in Ancient Lagash Current Research and Future
Trajectories - Proceedings of the Workshop held at the 10th ICAANE in Vienna, April 2016,
pp. 115–122, 2022
▪ Prentice, R., "The exchange of goods and services in pre-Sargonic Lagash", Münster: Ugarit-
Verlag, 2010
▪ Renette, Steve, "Some Observations on Regional Ceramic Traditions at al-Hiba/Lagash", in
Ancient Lagash Current Research and Future Trajectories - Proceedings of the Workshop held
at the 10th ICAANE in Vienna, April 2016, pp. 145–160, 2022

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▪ Renette, Steve, "Painted Pottery from Al-Hiba: Godin Tepe III Chronology and Interactions
between Ancient Lagash and Elam", Iran, vol. 53, pp. 49–63, 2015
▪ Thomas, Ariane, "The Faded Splendour of Lagashite Princesses: A Restored Statuette from
Tello and the Depiction of Court Women in the Neo-Sumerian Kingdom of Lagash", Iraq 78,
pp. 215–239, 2016
▪ Garcia-Ventura, Agnès, and Fumi Karahashi, "Overseers of textile workers in presargonic
Lagash", KASKAL, pp. 1–19, 2016

External links
▪ Drone photos reveal an early Mesopotamian city made of marsh islands - Science News -
October 13, 2022 (https://www.sciencenews.org/article/mesopotamia-city-marsh-islands-drone-
lagash-iraq)
▪ University of Pennsylvania Lagash Current and Legacy excavations page (https://web.sas.upe
nn.edu/lagash/)
▪ Excavations in the Swamps of Sumer - Vaughn E. Crawford - Expedition Magazine Volume 14
Issue 2 1972 (https://www.penn.museum/sites/expedition/excavations-in-the-swamps-of-sumer
/)
▪ University of Cambridge Lagash project (https://www.arch.cam.ac.uk/research/projects/current-
projects/lagash-archaeological-project-lap)
▪ Lagash excavation site photographs at the Oriental Institute (http://oi.uchicago.edu/gallery/asp_
meso_lagash/) Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20100610050958/http://oi.uchicago.edu/
gallery/asp_meso_lagash/) 2010-06-10 at the Wayback Machine
▪ Lagash Digital Tablets at CDLI (https://cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=T
ext&PrimaryPublication=&MuseumNumber=&Provenience=lagash&Period=&TextSearch=&Obj
ectID=&requestFrom=Submit+Query)
▪ The Al-Hiba Publication Project (http://al-hiba.net/history.html)
▪ The Al-Hiba Publication Project - digitization (https://pricelab.sas.upenn.edu/projects/al-hiba-pu
blication-project)
▪ 5,000-Year-Old Tavern With Food Still Inside Discovered in Iraq (https://www.smithsonianmag.c
om/smart-news/5000-year-old-tavern-discovered-in-iraq-180981564/)

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