The Royal Death Pits of Ur

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  • Опубліковано 28 вер 2024
  • In today's video, we dive into the mysteries surrounding the Royal Cemetery at Ur and its associated Death Pits, examining who exactly was buried there, what Sumerian mythology has to say about the rituals conducted within, and whether it constitutes Mesopotamian's only known example of human sacrifice. And beyond these question, we examine the Cemetery's biggest quandary of all. Were its burials even royal at all?
    This video owes a special thanks to archaeologist Dr Geoff Emberling, who kindly allowed me to use a number of his photos of Iraq. You can find more information on his research activities in the links below:
    archaeology.ls...
    umich.academia...
    Join this channel to get access to perks:
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    You can find more of Ettore's excellent artwork below:
    / ettore.mazza
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    #history #documentary #mesopotamia
    I'd also like to thank all of my voice actors for today's episode, whose own work you can find below:
    Articulations as Enheduanna
    / articulations
    Byron Lewis as Various Texts
    / byronlewis
    Stefan Milo as C. Leonard Woolley
    / stefanmilo

КОМЕНТАРІ • 686

  • @TheHistocrat
    @TheHistocrat  2 роки тому +287

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    3. van de Mieroop M (2016) A History of the Ancient Near East, 3rd Edition, pgs. 10-17.
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    5. Hammer E (2019) The city and landscape of Ur: an aerial, satellite, and ground reassessment.
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    44. Cholidis N (2003) The Treasure of Ur from Mari, pg. 143. In ‘Art of the First Cities’, edited by Aruz J and Wallenfels R.
    45. Woolley CL (1965) Excavations at Ur, pg. 59.
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    47. Reade J (2003) The Royal Tombs of Ur, pgs. 93-96. In ‘Art of the First Cities’, edited by Aruz J and Wallenfels R.
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    51. Woolley CL (1934) Ur Excavations: Vol. 2, pgs. 121-123, 264-266.
    52. Reade J (2003) The Royal Tombs of Ur, pgs. 121-122. In ‘Art of the First Cities’, edited by Aruz J and Wallenfels R.
    53. Woolley CL (1934) Ur Excavations: Vol. 2, pgs. 74-77, 249-258.
    54. Cheng J (2009) A Review of Early Dynastic III Music: Man’s animal call, pgs. 173-178.
    55. Rimmer J (1969) Ancient Musical Instruments of Western Asia in the British Museum, pgs. 14-18.
    56. Reade J (2003) The Royal Tombs of Ur, pgs. 105-106. In ‘Art of the First Cities’, edited by Aruz J and Wallenfels R.
    57. Cooper JS (2006) Genre, Gender, and the Sumerian Lamentation, pgs. 41-44.
    58. Westenholz JG (2013) In the Service of the Gods: The Ministering Clergy, pgs. 264-266. In ‘The Sumerian World’, edited by Crawford H.
    59. Michalowski P (2006) LOVE OR DEATH? OBSERVATIONS ON THE ROLE OF THE GALA IN UR III CEREMONIAL LIFE, pgs. 49-61.
    60. Michalowski P (1994) The Drinking Gods: Alcohol in Mesopotamian Ritual and Mythology, pgs. 27-44. In ‘Drinking in Ancient Societies: History and Culture of Drinks in the Ancient Near East’, edited by Milano L.
    61. Woolley CL (1934) Ur Excavations: Vol. 2, pgs. 274-279.
    62. Finkel IL (2007) On the Rules for the Royal Game of Ur, pgs. 22-32. In ‘Ancient Board Games in Perspective’, edited by Finkel IL.
    63. Woolley CL (1934) Ur Excavations: Vol. 2, pgs. 37-41.
    64. Pollock S (1991) Of Priestesses, Princes and Poor Relations: The Dead in the Royal Cemetery at Ur, pgs. 173-177.
    65. Woolley CL (1965) Excavations at Ur, pg. 77-82.
    66. Woolley CL (1934) Ur Excavations: Vol. 2, pgs. 312-13.
    67. Douglas F (2010) The struggle for hegemony in “Early Dynastic II” Sumer, pgs. 37-77.
    68. Gianni Marchesi (2010) The Sumerian King List and the early History of Mesopotamia, pgs. 231-48.
    69. Tummal inscription entry on the Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative, assessed 29th September 2022. cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?SearchMode=Text&ObjectID=P469677
    70. Steinkeller P (2003) An Ur III manuscript of the Sumerian King List. Literatur, Politik und Recht. In ‘Mesopotamien: Festschrift fur Claus Wilck’.
    71. Sumerian King List (SKL) entry on the Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative, lines 132-140, assessed 29th September 2022. cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?CompositeNumber=Q000371
    72. Sumerian King List (SKL) entry on the Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative, lines 39-42, assessed 29th September 2022. cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?CompositeNumber=Q000371
    73. Sollberger E (1962) The Tummal Inscription, pg. 41.
    74. Archi A (2004) Translation of Gods: Kumarpi, Enlil, Dagan/Nisaba, Halki, pg. 322.
    75. van de Mieroop M (2016) A History of the Ancient Near East, 3rd Edition, pgs. 46-47.
    76. Beaulieu PA (2018) A History of Babylon, pg. 35.
    77. Kramer SN (1944) The Death of Gilgamesh.
    78. Vogel H (2013) Death and Burial, pgs. 419-434. In ‘The Sumerian World’, edited by Crawford H.
    79. Crawford H (2004) Sumer and the Sumerians, Second Edition, pgs. 135-136.
    80. George AR (2003) The Babylonian Gilgamesh Epic, vol. 1, pgs. 12-17
    81. The Death of Ur-Nammu (A), The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature, assessed 29th September 2022. etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk/section2/tr2411.htm
    82. Pedde F (2013) Burials in Uruk, pgs. 288-289. In ‘Uruk: First City of the Ancient World’.
    83. Sumerian King List (SKL) entry on the Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative, lines 112-118, assessed 29th September 2022. cdli.ucla.edu/search/search_results.php?CompositeNumber=Q000371
    84. Charvát P (2002) Mesopotamia Before History, pg. 227.
    85. Sürenhagen D (2002) Death in Mesopotamia: The 'Royal Tombs' of Ur Revisited. In ‘Of Pots and Plans : Papers on the Archaeology and History of Mesopotamia and Syria Presented to David Oates in Honour of His 75th Birthday’.
    86. Woolley CL (1934) Ur Excavations: Vol. 2, pg. 38.
    87. van de Mieroop M (2016) A History of the Ancient Near East, 3rd Edition, pg. 65-66.
    88. Woolley CL (1934) Ur Excavations: Vol. 2, pg. 39-40.
    89. Woolley CL (1950) Ur of the Chaldee, pgs. 51-103.
    90. Woolley CL (1934) Ur Excavations: Vol. 2, pgs. 316, 340.
    91. Woolley CL (1934) Ur Excavations: Vol. 2, pgs. 94, 316.
    92. Woolley CL (1934) Ur Excavations: Vol. 2, pgs. 312, 316.
    93. Marchesi G (2004) Who Was Buried in the Royal Tombs of Ur? The Epigraphic and Textual Data, pgs. 173-175.
    94. Smith S (1928) Assyriological Notes, pgs. 864-868.
    95. Böhl F (1930) Das Menschenopfer bei den alten Sumerern, pg 83-98. In ‘Zeitchrift für Assyriologie’.
    96. Woolley CL (1934) Ur Excavations: Vol. 2, pgs. 49, 316.
    97. Woolley CL (1934) Ur Excavations: Vol. 2, pgs. 116, 316.

    • @dgonthehill
      @dgonthehill 2 роки тому +1

      wow interesting, thnx

    • @Zogerpogger
      @Zogerpogger 2 роки тому +38

      Citing sources is just one of many factors that sets this channel above most others that make documentaries.

    • @nickwilliams2745
      @nickwilliams2745 2 роки тому +17

      Wow I’ve written papers for classes with worse citation than your youtube videos and tbh it’s not even close

    • @flashmanfred
      @flashmanfred 2 роки тому +20

      Bro this is what I'm talking about!!! Proper citations are soooo lacking in UA-cam history (and other subjects). Thank you for doing this!

    • @ObjectiveEthics
      @ObjectiveEthics 2 роки тому +5

      Thank you for your hard work. Your videos are both informative and compelling.

  • @Comuniity_
    @Comuniity_ Рік тому +815

    I think the most important thing I learned is the sacred bond between a man and his barber dates back thousands and thousands of years

    • @maxdecphoenix
      @maxdecphoenix Рік тому +121

      'barber' itself is one of the longer continually used words in Western Civilization. The root 'barb' has been in use since pre-roman latin into the modern age to describe 'hair'. The romans had a throwing weapon, officially called a plumbata, but was colloquially called martio(us)barbuli, or in English "Mar's Barb". A homage to the hair of Mars, god of war, being impossibly tough, sharp and able to kill men. The weapon, a metal spike featuring a gruesome counter-hook, with a bulbous weight on the other end, wasn't dissimilar from a hair with a folicle attached.
      This is where we derive barber, and also 'barb' as in barbed wire. Two otherwise completely unrelated concepts which owe a shared etymological root to a happenstances of roman paganism and militarism.

    • @KD400_
      @KD400_ Рік тому +22

      ​@@maxdecphoenix jeez my man ur very intelligent

    • @JTA1961
      @JTA1961 Рік тому +3

      The Barbery Pirates sink slow too...

    • @diskgrinder
      @diskgrinder Рік тому +2

      Is that about the oldest joke?

    • @MotherSoren
      @MotherSoren Рік тому

      @@maxdecphoenix thank u genuinely for the barber etymology lore 🙏🏻💜

  • @ian_b
    @ian_b 2 роки тому +67

    One could get very confused discussing Early Ur, Earlier Ur, and it's founding condition, ur-Ur.

    • @hoponlopo8690
      @hoponlopo8690 Місяць тому +1

      hahaha xD

    • @davem4316
      @davem4316 26 днів тому

      i hope mr peabody got there already, seems it would have been obligatory

  • @philipmarx1819
    @philipmarx1819 Рік тому +141

    The Royal Death Pits of Ur is a kickass name for metal band.

  • @samaritan_sys
    @samaritan_sys 2 роки тому +230

    History Time and Histocrat in the same week… I think I’m gonna cry with joy!

    • @JohnVance
      @JohnVance 2 роки тому +7

      New Historia Civilis this week too! The trifecta!

    • @courtneywissler7983
      @courtneywissler7983 2 роки тому +1

      They do this on purpose! I get two great docs in a couple days then I have to wait months.

    • @jojojacques810
      @jojojacques810 2 роки тому +20

      All we need now is a new Fall Of Civilisations!! 👌🙏

    • @courtneywissler7983
      @courtneywissler7983 2 роки тому +5

      @@jojojacques810 yeah you know!! My three favorite channels!

    • @thecollierreport
      @thecollierreport 2 роки тому +1

      Exactly

  • @thefritz123
    @thefritz123 2 роки тому +65

    The depth and and sincerity with which you explore and present this topic is impressive. Thank you, Sir.

  • @jourcontre-jour1286
    @jourcontre-jour1286 2 роки тому +40

    Thank you for covering Ur I absolutely love their civilization

    • @helenamcginty4920
      @helenamcginty4920 9 місяців тому +1

      Ha! We had a text book at my secondary school called From Ur to Rome. Unfortunately our older teachers had degrees but no teacher training. (They must have been some of the 1st women to be allowed to take degrees in Britain then. ). They were rubbish teachers. Our history teacher being one of the worst. She wrote stuff, in italic script, on the board for us to copy into our books, in italic script and using dip pens (this in 1959/60). Homework involved copying maps and pictures ftom the text book. Why? Who knows. All I can recall about Ur from her lessons is that it was in mesopotamia and can still see that damn priest in his long skirt that we had to copy. I must have switched off as I recall nothing more of our 1st 2 years history lessons. 😅😢😅
      Thank goodness for channels like this.

  • @arvydas0069
    @arvydas0069 Рік тому +14

    I got to walk on top of the ziggurat and walk around at will. It’s hard to imagine all those things were buried underneath, the site was in disrepair. It’s sorta in middle of nowhere now, outside Nasiriyah

    • @SacredDreamer
      @SacredDreamer Рік тому +2

      😲 AMAZINGLY Lucky

    • @arvydas0069
      @arvydas0069 Рік тому +3

      @@SacredDreamer There's no gate around it, no security, although there was a large airbase called Talil Airbase, which I used to run armed security out of for American Civilians and Military engineers. I accompanied the American US Army Colonel in charge of rebuilding Iraq, Colonel Jon Christensen, around the Ziggurat and complex next door. Walked beneath one of the oldest non-restored standing arches in the world on that site, which was very cool. Luckily, only Saddam had ruined the site, by, incomprehensibly, building on top of the ruins to restore its original shape. The result was that it took a bit of knowledge of history and some photos to aim for the original structure. There were loads of cast off clay pot pieces of unknown age. I'm willing to bet they were from University of Pennsylvania researches and such from around a century or more ago, not from any ancient settlement.

  • @manosassassin
    @manosassassin 2 роки тому +177

    Oh boy it's 2Am and the Histocrat just uploaded, there goes my sleep.

    • @PBunyanOx
      @PBunyanOx 2 роки тому

      At least you'll know who was buried in the death pits of Ur

    • @davidsparks4826
      @davidsparks4826 2 роки тому

      It’s 8 pm where I live. But all the same. 😂✌🏼🙏🏼Love and Respect

    • @chadjonesvii9369
      @chadjonesvii9369 2 роки тому +2

      7:15PM in East Texas right now. We are all in different time zones. That's a wide ranging audience. 💯👍🏻

    • @alexandriasimms4842
      @alexandriasimms4842 2 роки тому +2

      1.30am here in the UK

    • @johnrice1943
      @johnrice1943 2 роки тому +2

      @@chadjonesvii9369 I'm in East Texas too!

  • @The_Reality_Filter
    @The_Reality_Filter 2 роки тому +91

    Your content is always of such a high standard and often concentrates on lesser explored topics. Kudos to you sir and may the algorithm bless you...

  • @remainselusive1
    @remainselusive1 2 роки тому +53

    You had me at Death Pits.

  • @lostinsomevalley
    @lostinsomevalley 2 роки тому +159

    Appreciate the incredible amount of time you put into this channel. Thanks mate.

    • @alfrednewman4496
      @alfrednewman4496 Рік тому +1

      You appreciate it yourself. You're not the boss of me. I'll appreciate the channel's time expenditure and level of dedication because I want to not because YOU told me to. smh.......some nerve .....bully! I know what's good and don't need......

  • @User-435ggrest
    @User-435ggrest 10 місяців тому +3

    I love putting these on at night and just drift away while learning about history. Thank you😊

  • @JustSpectre
    @JustSpectre Рік тому +29

    The best video on this topic I have ever seen. Very well researched, exceptionally narrated, comprehensively presented. You have my honest thanks.

  • @TERMICOBRA
    @TERMICOBRA Рік тому +23

    Thank you for being an educator. Your teaching style successfully transfers profound facts as you wrap them in well defined theories so we don't confuse the two.

  • @Imperiused
    @Imperiused Рік тому +16

    Listened and watched while I was cleaning. These videos are truly a treasure. The research, the images, the narration... I could never not recommend this channel. You're criminally underwatched!

  • @reedreamer9518
    @reedreamer9518 Рік тому +3

    I have to give The Histocrat credit for filling in much of the commonly left out details of these found artifacts, which tell an essential part of the history. Such as, the order and condition of the artifacts as they were revealed in the digs, as well as the preservation and reconstruction.

  • @toslo24
    @toslo24 Рік тому +7

    I think it was a combination for the followers to be buried with their ruler - 1 the succeeding kings would get rid of any potential threats to their kingship and 2 the followers would avoid a loss of status and hence 'choose' to be buried with their ruler. I think it would have been difficult to force a solider to bury themselves unless they were halfway willing.

    • @Badficwriter
      @Badficwriter 11 місяців тому +1

      I agree. Human nature argues elaborate shows of power would continue, unless there was a particular reason for it. So the mass death was not a show of power by the deceased, but a symptom of a shift in power, I think. Which doesn't mean they weren't willing, completely, due to the near celebratory trappings. (We mustn't forget how willing death cults are to reach apotheosis) Poison is not as sure as people think, death can be long and sickening. Kneeling to accept a death blow after a hearty drink of wine isn't that much different from poisoning oneself.

    • @KittymoreJoy
      @KittymoreJoy Місяць тому +1

      I do not agree, although the servants may have known that they would be killed with a ruler, does not always mean it was a willing act by a sacrificed person, but resignation. Did the Inca maidens understand that death awaited them at the end of a strenuous journey? Drugs always make victims easy to control minds and bodies. Human sacrifice had many excuses given 11:33 by those in political and religious people.

  • @johnqpublic2718
    @johnqpublic2718 2 роки тому +3

    You're incredibly good at what you do, Histocrat.

  • @klaatoris
    @klaatoris 2 роки тому +24

    Great stuff. But I am curious about the "fashion sense" of the Sumerians. It seems to me like nearly all the ancient peoples of this region, from the Akkadians down to the Persians, liked to portray their rulers with big, long, well groomed beards. On the Standard of Ur, however, everyone from the defeated soldiers to the king are clean shaven and bald or short haired. Did the Sumerians have distinctly different aesthetic ideals from the other ones?

    • @guird4
      @guird4 Рік тому +2

      I remember reading that the sumerians were very different from their neighbors in many respects - their language for instance is assumed to be from a different language family than the others. Where I read this, they suggested that the sumerians had been forced to move inland by an advancing persian gulf.

    • @cattymajiv
      @cattymajiv 11 місяців тому +7

      @@guird4 It's not just suggested, their language was a different one, unrelated to any other known today. This has been proven by the Assyriologists who study the tablets and Linguists who study ancient languages. Dr Irving Finkel of the British Museum, where most of the tablets are kept, and who studies them, has said that in several of his fascinating (and humorous) lectures.

    • @Badficwriter
      @Badficwriter 11 місяців тому +2

      Perhaps they shaved at different stages of the year? We know wigs and false beards were a thing in Egypt, but those things could get very dirty and insect ridden in a swampy area.

    • @mikef.1000
      @mikef.1000 Місяць тому

      The shaving off of the beards of the defeated was calculated to shame them deeply.

    • @klaatoris
      @klaatoris Місяць тому

      @@mikef.1000 That does not explain why the king also is bald and shaven, though.

  • @lindaschubert5459
    @lindaschubert5459 5 місяців тому +2

    Thanks for a superb narration on Ur. I'd like to hear more information on this topic.

  • @AtunSheiFilms
    @AtunSheiFilms 2 роки тому +6

    Amazing work as always.

  • @johnnzboy
    @johnnzboy 2 роки тому +16

    Super interesting, your level of research does you credit. For future reference, keep in mind that, in Italian, 'ch' is pronounced like 'k' (e.g. Pinocchio) , so (Gianni) Marchesi is pronounced 'mar-kay-see' :)

  • @fishofthepeople
    @fishofthepeople 2 роки тому +9

    Thank you, Sir. It's been a sad time waiting for you to post another precious piece of knowledge.

  • @fisticuffsmate
    @fisticuffsmate 2 роки тому +11

    you post some of my favorite videos on youtube, i really do appreciate what you do!

  • @anasevi9456
    @anasevi9456 2 роки тому +4

    Incredible video, thank you so much and I hope your Docos are appreciated for decades.

  • @burntbiscuit6438
    @burntbiscuit6438 2 роки тому +29

    I got a mate that tells me bedtime stories a million miles away

  • @TheMercian13
    @TheMercian13 2 роки тому +3

    Coming in clutch with another great video.

  • @cattymajiv
    @cattymajiv 11 місяців тому +4

    As well as making great videos like this, I love the fact that you very obviously delete all the comments by the wingnuts.
    It's SUCH a huge relief to know that I won't have to try to dig through mountains of garbage about aliens, conspiracies by everyone with a degree, and other craziness, just to find the interesting comments! So what remains here are all the interesting ones! BRAVO to you on SO many levels! ❤❤❤

  • @vanguze
    @vanguze 2 роки тому +9

    Thank you. Truly fascinating.

  • @dbartholemewfox
    @dbartholemewfox 2 роки тому +32

    1:16:23 This poem probably references the rebellion of Ur (lead by Lugal-ane) against Sargon. Thus Enheduana is appealing to the goddess Ishtar (and others) to slay the supporters of Nanna (the patron god of Ur) because of Ur's rebellion against her father. Enheduana was actually high priestess at the Temple of Nanna (in Ur) at the time. After this incident Enheduana seems to have switched allegiances to the goddess Ishtar (aka Inanna), only writing poems for her, instead of the moon god Nanna.
    The idea that the poem is referencing a ritual mass funeral is pretty nonsensical if you read the entire poem. A more modern translation of the same lines (by Jeremy Black) make this clear: "In the place of divine encouragement, what is my standing now? May An extradite the land which is a malevolent rebel against your Nanna! May An smash that city! May Enlil curse it! May its plaintive child not be placated by his mother!" In this translation it's clear that Enheduanna is cursing the city Ur despite her close relationship to its patron god Nanna.

  • @HoH
    @HoH 2 роки тому +5

    Incredibly interesting!

  • @interstellarconveyance4865
    @interstellarconveyance4865 Рік тому +4

    Any thoughts about the current national policies regarding preservation of these artifacts? Every now and then there are rumors of government officials looting museums, and or shutting museums down and "moving collections for protection", sadly the United States has a non interest policy which eliminates any scientific cooperation between our two countries. Thank you for an amazing and beautiful presentation into this ancient world.

  • @RaimoKangasniemi
    @RaimoKangasniemi 2 роки тому +7

    When it comes to 17:20, the idea of a female ruler was not totally alien in ancient Mesopotamia. The Sumerian king list from the III Dynasty of Ur names a likely mythological ruling queen of Kish, Kubaba, who would have ruled three generations or so before Sargon the Great of Akkad, aka around 2450 BCE.

  • @Zogerpogger
    @Zogerpogger 2 роки тому +6

    For some reason I feel the urge to comment a funny thing that happened, even though it is not at all relevant to this video. In The Histocrat Q&A you said you recommended any History channel except M. Laser History, being the fool I am, I took that at face value. I was conflicted wondering why one of my favorite History youtubers did not recommend another of my favorite History UA-camrs! Then I saw an M. Laser comment saying to avoid your channel, I was baffled. When I asked for an explanation M. Laser informed me politely that it was a joke. I faceplamed hard, ashamed at my own thick-headedness. Thus ended my poor humorless torment.
    However I am now curious what your thoughts on TIK are, as M. Laser does not recommend (though I can guess why).

  • @otilium7503
    @otilium7503 Рік тому +3

    Beautifully done, thank you!

  • @CatchingJeremy
    @CatchingJeremy 2 місяці тому

    I loved randomly hearing Stefan Milo like an audiobook

  • @JayGideon-7
    @JayGideon-7 2 роки тому +4

    Very instructive, and thorough. Thank you. The rhythmic nature of the narration however soon became disagreeable.

  • @Angayasse
    @Angayasse 2 роки тому +6

    A perfect treat - thank you so much for this work, this is extremely interesting!

  • @massimosquecco8956
    @massimosquecco8956 Рік тому +1

    Great report, Sir, I m grateful for your accurate work in making this video...

  • @williamharris8367
    @williamharris8367 2 роки тому +4

    From a purely economic perspective, it seems wasteful to sacrifice skilled staff like musicians, soldiers, etc. It would take many years to train these individuals to a sufficient level of skill to serve the monarch. The incoming king would, presumably, have to be served by apprentices and retirees until the next group can be properly trained.
    I am reminded of the consequences of Stalin's purge of senior military officers in the 1930s. Presumably Ur's enemies would take advantage of the absence of trained/experienced soldiers immediately following the death of a monarch.

  • @royriley6282
    @royriley6282 2 роки тому +10

    Modern archaeologists: Older scholars were presumptuous
    Also Modern archaeologists: Muh Rituals

  • @bonifaciodachuva
    @bonifaciodachuva Рік тому

    The fineness of their craftmanship is astounding; no wonder they would treasure it so much.

  • @karsaorlong3761
    @karsaorlong3761 2 роки тому +7

    sick, i gave it a like instantly, thank you good sir

  • @metalman7791
    @metalman7791 2 роки тому +2

    Excited about this one!

  • @SamtheIrishexan
    @SamtheIrishexan Рік тому +17

    I always wonder how cool it would be to get DNA from these ancient burials, and then to see if any descendents of those first kings and queens still live. Imagine taking an ancestry DNA kit and finding out you are a direct descendent of the God kings of Mesopotamia

    • @yaldabaoth2
      @yaldabaoth2 Рік тому

      After so many generations, there will hardly be anyone who is not a descendant of them. That's why dna ancestry is a joke.

    • @martijn9568
      @martijn9568 Рік тому +4

      I'd probably first figure out if the buried persons were male or female using DNA. As far as I'm aware, archaeologists have been known to make mistakes in figuring out the sex of a deceased due to relaying too much on grave goods and ignoring the specific bone anatomy.

    • @cattymajiv
      @cattymajiv 11 місяців тому +7

      Their descendents are alive and well in Iraq and elsewhere, but their DNA, like all of ours, has been mixed with many different kinds over the years.

    • @josesbox9555
      @josesbox9555 9 місяців тому

      I would demand tribute 😊

    • @cometnight0
      @cometnight0 9 місяців тому +2

      After a long enough time, there are no direct descendants. This is because the DNA of that specific person would become diluted into the greater whole. A modern person can claim some loose relation, but that's about it.

  • @fredericpaes7288
    @fredericpaes7288 2 роки тому +2

    thank you for one more great video

  • @neva_nyx
    @neva_nyx 2 роки тому +9

    Another thing I've not seen yet, what kind of rooms were inside the zigurats? Surely, at least one has been excavated. Anyone know if there's someone/ team to search to learn about it?

    • @andrewnorris7642
      @andrewnorris7642 2 роки тому

      Ziggurats were temples and the top was for stargazing. So temple type shit.

    • @cattymajiv
      @cattymajiv 11 місяців тому +1

      I've always wanted to know that too! Is it a sanctuary where the god lives, and is fed and dressed every day? Is it the patron god of that city? I wonder why nobody seems to address this obvious question. Maybe because the rooms had been stripped of all but the mudbrick walls.
      Were the Ziggurats solid like the pyramids, or did the levels have rooms and halls? I've been waiting decades to hear the answers.

  • @andrewcathcart
    @andrewcathcart 2 роки тому +4

    Hey! Just a quick comment that's hopefully going to come across as constructive criticism, but I think you could improve the pacing and scene setting in the intro. Another channel I love is called Fall of Civilizations, and he does it perfectly. Perhaps you could take some inspiration?
    Thanks for the amazing content nevertheless.

  • @EnDB
    @EnDB 2 роки тому +2

    I saw the diagram, the harp, and two crushed skulls at a museum in Philadelphia a few months ago.

  • @RegebroRepairs
    @RegebroRepairs Рік тому +3

    21:12 Whoah! That's an arch! 3000 years before the Romans!
    Edit: Some Googling shows that although arched aqueducts seem to be a roman invention, the claim that Romans invented arches is a complete myth. They were invented somewhere in the near east 4000BC.

  • @rugosetexture2716
    @rugosetexture2716 2 роки тому +7

    Fascinating subject, beautifully presented. Thank you!

  • @silentone11111111
    @silentone11111111 Рік тому

    Better than history channel by far. Great work.

  • @MercedesCruz-qe1nj
    @MercedesCruz-qe1nj 3 місяці тому

    The art expression of this cultures is amazing.

  • @hughgrection7246
    @hughgrection7246 2 роки тому +9

    "The Royal Death Pits of Ur" sounds like a Dethklok album title . Tell me I'm wrong .

  • @massimosquecco8956
    @massimosquecco8956 Рік тому +2

    Probably Puabi wasn't a queen at all, but a "Living Goddess" considered as such for some inscrutable reason, and her male counterpart was probably have been seen in life as a divine hero, this is why he could bring in the underworld so many lives with him. And don't forget that his tomb was never touched: This is a sign of his superhuman status and that of the leading woman buried next to him.

  • @matthewadams2979
    @matthewadams2979 Рік тому +3

    I have been to Ur, Iraq. I have a picture of myself standing on the steps on the ziggarat.

  • @King_king880
    @King_king880 Рік тому

    Thank you for your rich knowledge in History and mythology.

  • @skinnyway
    @skinnyway 2 роки тому +2

    I wonder how many people are going to steal all the gold out of museums when the lights go out?

  • @oconnorsean12
    @oconnorsean12 8 днів тому

    This was excellent!

  • @captainsensiblejr.
    @captainsensiblejr. Рік тому +1

    Lapis lazuli is a blue semi-precious stone that is only found in what is now Afghanistan. This clearly shows the ancient Mesopotamians had developed trade and trade routes with other people's beyond Mesopotamia.

  • @andrewnorris7642
    @andrewnorris7642 2 роки тому +4

    Maybe the poisoned slaves were meant to serve him in whatever afterlife, similar to the dolls in Egyptian tombs

  • @Stu161
    @Stu161 2 місяці тому

    I think it's very interesting that the bead found in Mari is seen as strong evidence of Mes-Anne-pada's influence in that region. In North American archaeology, it's relatively common to find goods thousands of miles from their culture of origin.

  • @jamiel6005
    @jamiel6005 2 роки тому

    I’ve never been more interested in a video based solely on its title before

  • @thesaints-7-andrew.
    @thesaints-7-andrew. Рік тому

    Watching from Greece.hi everybody.
    Great documentary.

  • @danielfouardlibertarianono8017

    Through all the research and podcasts I've listened to about mesopotamia and ur this is the first I've ever heard of the cemetery and it's contents.

  • @Ripsta777
    @Ripsta777 2 роки тому +3

    Hey guys I love your vids Just wanted to say you guys should do a video on king soloman that would be awesomen

  • @gertjevanpoppel7270
    @gertjevanpoppel7270 26 днів тому

    Nice documentary and well explained 👍😀
    What is the meaning of the numbers in the lower right hand corner ?....

  • @MonsterMacLLC
    @MonsterMacLLC Рік тому +2

    If they did not destroy items on the way into these places sometimes we may notice tool marks on the inside of the burial chambers.

  • @jonjgibbs56
    @jonjgibbs56 2 місяці тому +1

    Didn't realize human remains were now something to warm the delicate public about!

  • @joshhale7004
    @joshhale7004 Рік тому

    this is excellent. Thank you so much Charles.

  • @debztully1339
    @debztully1339 2 роки тому +1

    Thanks for the content!

  • @kluafoz
    @kluafoz 2 роки тому +3

    That warning at the start is just whacked to me... sad this world has come to that.

  • @Smaqx579
    @Smaqx579 Рік тому

    Yeah bro, do some PVP for season 9. Also maybe a good comprehensive pvp tutorial. You used clear language man, good job, good video

  • @mikevismyelement
    @mikevismyelement Рік тому

    I always like to keep in mind that, up until around 150 years ago, all large public works projects doubled as mass graves.

  • @lynnmitzy1643
    @lynnmitzy1643 2 роки тому +1

    Thank you, lots of our history has been lost.

  • @franceleeparis37
    @franceleeparis37 2 роки тому +5

    The figurines and the artwork shows some characteristics with the civilisation of the Indus Valley which disappeared without trace… the people of the Indus may have migrated to Mesopotamia after the rivers they relied on silted up.. the brickwork, the facial features, the clothes worn by these royals look remarkably like those worn by the ‘high’ priest of Mohenjo-daro found in Pakistan… 😏

  • @djn00dle
    @djn00dle 2 місяці тому

    You had me at "This video contains images of human remains..."

  • @Primetiime32
    @Primetiime32 2 роки тому

    Thank you for the upload

  • @cyclingbrad4201
    @cyclingbrad4201 Рік тому

    Impressive presentation and narration!

  • @LHoover
    @LHoover 2 роки тому +1

    The Earth is heavy, undeniable scientific fact. Comparatively that copper helmet really bears the hallmarks of a fist print, as many times as I have seen it I kinda giggle now,but it clearly is. Then your information puts forth this CAT Scan, fact.

  • @Krommer1000
    @Krommer1000 2 роки тому +3

    Great video on a fascinating subject. Thank you.

  • @lionspride4821
    @lionspride4821 9 місяців тому +1

    How does this impact the legacy of the sixth house and the tribe unmourned?

  • @SLArtifacts
    @SLArtifacts Рік тому +7

    These videos do a great job of putting historical events of the Bible into context. So easy to read the Book and forget it’s a historical about. Great content.

    • @cookie5535
      @cookie5535 Рік тому

      80% of the bible is entirely ahistorical mythos written long after the events. Most are made up entirely 😂. People should know this by now

    • @Badficwriter
      @Badficwriter 11 місяців тому

      We can see even in Sumeria they were altering stories about what had happened (all the kings son were laid beside him/the kings son succeeded him). Humans prefer interesting stories to cold facts. We know the Bible's timelines don't match up in certain cases like the Fall of Jericho's walls happening long, long before it was listed as happening. And we know there were earlier versions of the stories, and that there were choices made on what to include or leave out.
      There is no doubt that the Torah did not spring into existence complete and perfect in its entirety. The Bible is a series of stories of people's memories retold and inspired religion--it is not the dry text of police witnesses or forensic analysis of historical events.

    • @SLArtifacts
      @SLArtifacts 11 місяців тому

      @@Badficwriter enjoy the video 😎

  • @zpingusu
    @zpingusu 2 роки тому +3

    Great, I was just looking for something interesting to listen while i do some cleanup.

  • @damiengreen5935
    @damiengreen5935 2 місяці тому

    Thanks!

  • @nicolelabram5575
    @nicolelabram5575 2 роки тому +2

    Wasn't Abraham from UR of the Chaldees ? I remember Gudea Ensi of Lagash from history class.

  • @wesdowner5636
    @wesdowner5636 8 днів тому

    With all the knowledge that the excavators had of previous grave looting, why would any current archeologist assume that the remaining evidence and artifacts are in their original locations?

  • @billballbuster7186
    @billballbuster7186 Рік тому

    Very interesting presentation, thank you.

  • @itsa-itsagames
    @itsa-itsagames 2 роки тому +7

    Me - " mmm i want to watch something right before bed "
    *The Histocrat Uploads - The Royal Death Pits of Ur *
    Me - " ...........................perfect! "

  • @kaarlimakela3413
    @kaarlimakela3413 2 роки тому +4

    May they rest in pieces. 🕊️
    Now I'm going to go check on the DNA profiles, if any, associated with burials found. Was discouraged, to date. An expert said something about the soil not being conducive to preserving it.
    I'd want to sort out what dynasty etc I hope someday smarter than me has something written on it.
    This is a great video. Scratched an itch that I had on the back burner 😆
    I knew for awhile, there'd been a bonanza cemetery of Ur ... and now, here, some *depth* , in more way than one! 👵

    • @cattymajiv
      @cattymajiv 11 місяців тому

      There are others too, which explains why the surrounding areas are dug up every night by the local people, and it looks like a bombed out place or a mine feild, pockmarked by millions of small excavations.

  • @scottyfox6376
    @scottyfox6376 Рік тому +1

    I wonder how much of these treasures of Ur still remain in the museums today ? I wouldn't be surprised if much of this hasn't been looted & melted down after Saddam's fall.

  • @jw8559
    @jw8559 2 роки тому +1

    Yeah Boiy, ya back. Boom!

  • @johnlynch575
    @johnlynch575 Рік тому

    1:07:26 There are two ways down that path; Blood or Behavior. Very informative and pretty straightforward video, thank you.
    You know that's a tough reality for us so-called Free folks wrap our heads around.>>> "When my King dies, so do I."
    I would hope my death would provide for others to live. {I wonder if any of those assistants thought that.}
    Here's hoping you love Him.

  • @2msvalkyrie529
    @2msvalkyrie529 Рік тому +1

    My name is Ozymandias , King of Kings .
    Look upon my works , ye mighty
    And despair...

  • @lordcommandernox9197
    @lordcommandernox9197 2 роки тому +2

    That you need that disclaimer at the beginning is saddening. Soon we'll be so domesticated, so sanitized, that thinking in itself will be obscene.

  • @jonnywagner8472
    @jonnywagner8472 2 роки тому +1

    Please explain how you may state that UR was green and the water receded, yet there are so many cities beneath the waters?

    • @neva_nyx
      @neva_nyx 2 роки тому +3

      The waters of the gulf encroached and receded many times throughout the last 8000 years. At one point, the Harappan people could have walked straight to Ur with no inlet in their way.

  • @yvonnesmith6152
    @yvonnesmith6152 Рік тому

    Pu-abi always reminded me of Kubaba of Kish of the Third dynasty, who is said to have been a Tavern keeper and beer brewer before becoming queen. Why not 🤷🏽‍♀️

  • @almosrogacs8956
    @almosrogacs8956 2 роки тому

    Such a great video

  • @RobertBush-cb1gz
    @RobertBush-cb1gz Місяць тому +1

    One thing for sure - There's a lot of ruins in Mesopotamia .