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Uruk today Warka Mesopotamia 5,000 years
Uruk was born on the fertile banks of the Euphrates River in a land that we now call Mesopotamia
When the first human groups began to gather in stable settlements they were looking for a way to live together, cultivate the land and exchange goods. Uruk was the result of this slow but powerful change
At the beginning it was little more than a village but it grew in an extraordinary way until it became a pulsating center of life, culture and innovation
In the heart of the so-called Uruk Period the city became a beacon for the entire region
During this time ideas were born that changed the destiny of humanity forever
It was here that the scribes engraved the first signs on clay tablets giving life to cuneiform writing
Thanks to this new language man could finally remember count tell pass on
Uruk was not only writing it was also beauty order and power
Its landscape was crossed by an elaborate system of roads and canals
The temples stood in the center as sacred hearts of the city
The most famous of all was the Ziggurat of Eanna dedicated to the goddess Inanna symbol of love war and fertility
This majestic building built on several levels dominated the skyline and attracted pilgrims, merchants and rulers
The city was also the place where myth and reality mixed
According to ancient legends, Uruk was ruled by Gilgamesh, a semi-divine king, protagonist of one of the oldest epics ever written
The story of his exploits tells us about friendship, the search for immortality and the fragile human condition
For centuries, Uruk continued to prosper, becoming a center of power, trade and religion
Its immense walls, according to the stories, embraced the city like a stone serpent, protecting it from enemies and famine
But like every great civilization, Uruk also saw its decline
Other peoples appeared on the stage of history and slowly the city lost importance until it was transformed into ruins
Yet the name of Uruk survived
In the language, in the stories, in the memories of humanity
Its spirit still lives in the symbols of modern civilization because it is from places like Uruk that man learned to write, to govern, to build together
The chronology is revealed through the layers
Archaeologists have applied stratigraphy to date Uruk's layers of existence. This method examines soil layers and artifacts to establish timelines. This method reveals Uruk's evolution over time—as the city transitioned from a small village to a sprawling urban center. Radiocarbon dating of the found objects dates the earliest settlement to around 4500 BC. It also establishes the city's rise during the Uruk period, which lasted from 4000 to 3100 BC
Theories abound regarding the city's decline and transformation. Some scholars suggest that internal conflict or environmental shifts led to Uruk's decline. Others propose theories based on trade patterns and external conflicts. Its decline began in the once-bustling Eanna area. Today, this area offers insight into Uruk's sophisticated urban character and its gradual demise