TEPE GAWRA SPEISER 425 



LATE GAWRA 



In our gradual ascent of Gawra we have covered so far more than 

 two-thirds of the way to the top. All that has remained is the 

 rapidly narrowing cap of the old cone. Taking the mound as an 

 archeological unit, we have made a hasty survey of Early and 

 Middle Gawra and are now prepared to review the last stage, which 

 is the least substantial of the three as regards respective occupa- 

 tional areas. In terms of ancient history, we have passed through 

 the archaic, or prehistoric, occupations and have arrived in the Early 

 Dynastic period. It is an indirect indication of the great antiquity 

 of Gawra that its career is about to terminate at a time when history 

 has barely begun. 



By the Early Dynastic era is meant the period when the south of 

 Mesopotamia Avas under the rule of the first authentic kings of Sumer. 

 This is the time of the " Koyal Tombs " and the First Dynasty of Ur, 

 of the princes and priest-kings or patesis of Kish and Lagash, and of 

 the dynasts recorded on inscriptions from a number of other places. 

 It embraces several centuries prior to the advent of Sargon the Great. 

 The commencement of this period has been placed at about 3000 

 B.C. on the basis of most recent archeological results." The contem- 

 poraries of this age in the north are the people of Gawra VI. This 

 synchronism is clinched by a long series of correspondences in weap- 

 ons, cylinder seals, amulets, and pottery. 



We have seen how the conquest of copper changed the political and 

 ethnic map of the world. No less radical is the accompanying trans- 

 formation in living conditions. In place of the leisurely ways of 

 bygone days we sense now a feverish pace. A great industrial era 

 has dawned and with it has come great wealth to the ruling classes 

 of the population. The splendors of the tomb furnishings of Ur 

 are by no means isolated instances of opulence and power, even 

 though the most precious objects were safer with the dead than with 

 the living. Luxuries seem no less abundant than every-day necessi- 

 ties. But in all this striving for comfort and pleasure the finest 

 contribution of the pi'evious centuries was ignored and forgotten. 

 For this was not the time for architectural creations of beauty and 

 precision. 



The buildings of Gawra VI are solid but unattractive. The 

 foundations are of rough stone and the walls are constructed of sun- 

 baked brick. The houses are small and the streets narrow, for space 

 is at a premium. The drainage system is altogether adequate. 



Tools and implements, ornaments and weapons, and all manner 

 of sundry articles, are now predominantly made of metal. Two 



■See now the remarks of IT. rraiikfort in the Illuslratcd London News, no. 4961, 

 p. 770, May 19, 1934. 



