Uruk in Ancient Mesopotamia

[us4-he2-gal2]

Thanks for this contribution Andrea Particularly like the parts analyzing Halaf and Ubaid culture for their part in preempting the rise of Uruk complexity. These points are particularly good for people who have heard of Sumer as being where history begins, but not yet read much of the archaeological history built up behind it. I should read more about the history of token use in the area.

As for the question of the Uruk expansion, I like how you contrasted the different theories on whether it was conquest or trade based - I don't really know. Perhaps the city of Uruk will be dug again; as I reported after hearing McGuire Gibson talk last month, Ur and Girsu are scheduled to undergo further excavation this year. See McGuire Gibson thread.