Ur
Ur, a city of ancient Mesopotamia, called “Ur of the Chaldees” in the Bible. It was on the Euphrates River in what is now Iraq. Ur was probably settled before 4000 B.C. and was one of the first centers of civilization, emerging around 3500 B.C. as an important Sumerian city-state. About 2135 B.C., Ur became the capital of the last Sumerian empire, which collapsed when the city was sacked by Elamite invaders about 2000 B.C. According to the Bible (Genesis 11:28), the city was the early home of Abraham.
Ur disappeared during the fourth or third century B.C., after the river changed its course. Excavations have uncovered many valuable artifacts at the site.