Restoration Work Begins on Iraq's 4,000-Year-Old Ziggurat of Ur

Restoration work has begun at the Ziggurat of Ur in Iraq's Dhi Qar province. Archaeologists have begun conservation work on the ancient Sumerian site, @Reuters reported. The structure, one of the best-preserved monuments from the Sumerian civilization, stands as a stepped temple tower that once dominated the landscape of what was the city of Ur.

The initiative marks the start of physical interventions at the site, which has faced ongoing erosion from wind, sand, and rainfall on its mud-brick structure. Teams are now assessing and stabilizing vulnerable sections of the ziggurat's terraces and facades. Dhi Qar province, in southern Iraq, contains some of the region's richest concentrations of early urban sites.

The Ziggurat of Ur itself dates back more than 4,000 years and was originally dedicated to the moon god Nanna. Its lower levels have survived while upper portions were reconstructed in the 20th century. Officials hope the current restoration will extend the monument's life against environmental pressures that have intensified in recent years.

The project focuses on both emergency stabilization and longer-term climate resilience measures, including improved drainage and protective coatings compatible with the original materials. The Ziggurat of Ur has long served as a symbol of Iraq's ancient heritage. Its visibility on the flat plains of Dhi Qar made it a landmark for travelers and scholars for centuries.