Ur III Period

The Ur III period lasted for about 100 years, from about 2100 BCE to 2100 BCE. It covers the Third Dynasty of Ur or the Neo-Sumerian Empire, with the capital in the city of Ur. After the fall of the Akkadian empire, there was a period where most of of southern Mesopotamia was ruled by Gutian invaderrs (from the mountains of present-day Iran), before they were expelled by Utu-hengal of Uruk. Utu-hengal was followed by Ur-Nammu, a brilliant general, who started the Third Dynasty of Ur.

Code of Ur-Nammu

Ur-Nammu created the world's first law code, the Code of Ur-Nammu.

Abraham

It is possible that Abraham, the patriarch of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, was born in Ur during the Ur III period. It is mentioned that he was born in Ur Kaśdim, but it is not certain that Ur in Mesopotamia was this same Ur.

Industry

During the Ur III period, there were a large number of sheep in southern Mesopotamia, and a substantial industry weaving woolen and linen cloth. These cloths were important export goods. The Neo-Sumerian Empire traded with the Gulf Region (present day Oman and UAE) and indirectly with the Harappa and Indus civilisations. In return, Sumeria imported metals, wood, shells, ivory and semi-precious stones.

Language and writing

Since the Akkadian Empire, the most common spoken language was Akkadian, a semitic language. However, most literature and administrative documents were written in Sumerian. It is believed that the "Epic of Gilgamesh" was written down in this period.