Gilgamesh Tomb Believed Found in Iraq (archaeology)

[Dover]

(BBC) -- Archaeologists in Iraq believe they may have found the lost tomb of King Gilgamesh - the subject of the oldest "book" in history.

The Epic Of Gilgamesh - written by a Middle Eastern scholar 2,500 years before the birth of Christ - commemorated the life of the ruler of the city of Uruk, from which Iraq gets its name.

Now, a German-led expedition has discovered what is thought to be the entire city of Uruk - including, where the Euphrates once flowed, the last resting place of its famous King.

"I don't want to say definitely it was the grave of King Gilgamesh, but it looks very similar to that described in the epic," Jorg Fassbinder, of the Bavarian department of Historical Monuments in Munich, told the BBC World Service's Science in Action programme.

Magnetic

In the book - actually a set of inscribed clay tablets - Gilgamesh was described as having been buried under the Euphrates, in a tomb apparently constructed when the waters of the ancient river parted following his death.

"We found just outside the city an area in the middle of the former Euphrates river the remains of such a building which could be interpreted as a burial," Mr Fassbinder said...cont'd


http://www.aina.org/news/20050125100240.htm

[DistressedAmerican]

1. Might I say as an archaeologist,

leave it to DUers to keep me up to speed on my own chosen profession. Good post. Thanks.

[Mojambo]

2. Cool!

I wonder how long until the anti-science Bush crew decides to bomb it

[aquart]

3. This gonna be like Philip of Macedon's tomb?

[Cicero]

4. Just so long as it ain't like...

the secret valuts of Al Capone!

Hosted by Geraldo Rivera.

Can't believe I watched it.

Later,

[Mistwell]

5. Hahah

Oh my...I remember that. That's the day Geraldo became a hack in my mind. And, he never went back...