Girsu

Girsu, located northwest of Lagash in modern-day Iraq, was a prominent city in ancient Sumer. As the religious center of the Lagash kingdom, it housed significant temples dedicated to the god Ningirsu and his consort Bau. Girsu played a crucial role during the Early Dynastic period and became the capital under Gudea in the Second Dynasty of Lagash. It was also a vital administrative hub during the Ur III period. The site features prominent mounds and has yielded around 50,000 cuneiform tablets, as well as notable artifacts such as an alabaster statue and fragments of the Stele of the Vultures. Excavations continue to uncover its rich history, shedding light on its religious, administrative, and cultural significance throughout various periods.