The first number in the article is apparently a mistake (was the lede possibly written by a editor?), since Sumerian civilization collapsed sometime around 2,000 BC.
[ 2,000-year-old Sumerian cities torn apart and plundered by robbers. The very walls of the mighty Ur of the Chaldees cracking under the strain of massive troop movements, the privatisation of looting as landlords buy up the remaining sites of ancient Mesopotamia to strip them of their artefacts and wealth. The near total destruction of Iraq's historic past – the very cradle of human civilisation – has emerged as one of the most shameful symbols of our disastrous occupation.
Evidence amassed by archaeologists shows that even those Iraqis who trained as archaeological workers in Saddam Hussein's regime are now using their knowledge to join the looters in digging through the ancient cities, destroying thousands of priceless jars, bottles and other artefacts in their search for gold and other treasures.
In the aftermath of the 1991 Gulf War, armies of looters moved in on the desert cities of southern Iraq and at least 13 Iraqi museums were plundered. Today, almost every archaeological site in southern Iraq is under the control of looters.
In a long and devastating appraisal to be published in December, Lebanese archaeologist Joanne
Farchakh says that armies of looters have not spared "one metre of these Sumerian capitals that have been buried under the sand for thousands of years.
"They systematically destroyed the remains of this civilisation in their tireless search for sellable artefacts: ancient cities, covering an estimated surface area of 20 square kilometres, which – if properly excavated – could have provided extensive new information concerning the development of the human race. ]
The google search that yielded this took 0.07 seconds -- done by Vaquero: "disclaimer: i have no knowledge of the provenance of these specificartifacts or the business practices of this company. i reproduce this as anexample of the easy accessibility of the market and the pricing of its lowerend. -- NS(BTW, the reason these cuneiform tablets are receipts for barley is thatbarley was the money of the time and place.)"pictures in original
http://www.ancientresource.com/lots/mesopotamian.html
Ancient Mesopotamian and Sumerian Artifacts for Sale
Cuneiform Tablets
From Ur III. 2800--2500 BC.
An authentic example of the first form of writing in the world!
Cuneiform tablet #mt044. Measures 45 x 34 mm (1 3/4 x 1 3/8 inches).
A hand-inscribed receipt for barley in ancient Mesopotamia! $200Cuneiform tablets dating from 2,150 - 2,000 BC. From the famous Mesopotamian city of Ur. Recording various administrative things... recording bundles of reed or barley issued, seal impressions. Average size around, 1 3/4". $200each.
Click any image for Larger View Ancient Sumerian-Bead Jewelrycirca 3,000 -- 2,000 BCE
The 'Cradle of Civilization' Wonderful carnelian and shell bead necklace. 4,500 years old. Measures 18 inches long. restrung on secure wire with modern silver clasps. A gem! $399.These beautiful beads were hand carved from black and white stone and shell nearly 5,000 years ago. Sumerians valued jewelry as a sign of status and wealth. So many of these beads were produced during this time that theyliterally litter the desert sands in some areas of the Middle East. These beads were legally excavated in Syria. The beads have been re-strung on sturdy flexible wire with sterling silver clasps and findings, and areperfectly wearable.
Sumerian bead necklaces:Each approximately 17 inches long $95.99 Length can be adjusted and priced accordingly. Please ask for details.
Sumerian bead earrings:$45 per pair.
To purchase any of these items, or for more information, CLICK HERE
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1 comment:
How sad. Arab civilization is ancient and we are losing part of that history. Or perhaps destroying is a better word.
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