Excavating the 5,000-year-old temple ruins

Scientists found many relics and large amounts of animal bones at the temple dedicated to Ningirsu, the god of war in Mesopotamian civilization.

The temple in Girsu , Iraq, was used to organize parties, parades, and animal sacrifices for the god Ningirsu from 2950-2350 BC, Live Science on March 30 reported. The expert team dug up more than 300 cups, bowls, jars, jars, teapots with chipped pottery, and a large amount of animal bones. They are located inside or near a 2.5 m deep pit, according to Sebastien Rey, director of the Girsu Project of the British Museum, and Tina Greenfield, archaeologist at Saskatchewan University.

A team of experts conducted an excavation of an ancient temple in Girsu.(Photo: Ancient Origins).

One of the most impressive objects the team found was a small bronze statue that looked like a duck, eyes made of hard shells of animals. This is most likely the object of worship of Nanshe, the goddess associated with water, swamps and water birds. In addition, archaeologists also unearthed fragments of jars engraved on Ningirsu.

Rey and Greenfield said the number of cups and glasses they found could be used at a religious party before being thrown into a pit. Meanwhile, animal bones include sheep, cows, deer, antelopes, fish, goats, pigs and birds, which are left after being eaten or killed for sacrifices.

The thick ash that covered the floor of the temple was likely a trace of fire-burning rituals. The team also found eight oval fragments full of ash that could be the remains of lanterns or lamps placed on the floor.

Hieroglyphs were found at Girsu in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, depicting religious ceremonies and parades taking place at the temple. Accordingly, the ceremony to honor the god Ningirsu takes place twice a year and lasts 3 or 4 days. In the ritual, the ancients will hold a parade from the center of Girsu, go through the territory of the city and then to Gu'edena, which is located outside of Girsu, then loop back and end at the original downtown.

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