c. 2600 BCEReputable source · 2 sourcesWell documented
The Royal Tombs of Ur
On the timeline · around c. 2600 BCE ·
What happened
At Ur, archaeologist Leonard Woolley (1922–1934) uncovered sixteen 'royal' tombs, including that of Queen Puabi, filled with gold, silver, lapis lazuli and carnelian treasures — along with the bodies of dozens of sacrificed attendants.
Why it matters
The tombs reveal the wealth, craftsmanship and beliefs of early Sumer, and Puabi's own seal — naming only her, not a husband — suggests she was a queen who ruled in her own right.
Sources
- Penn Museum. Queen Puabi's Headdress from the Royal Cemetery at Ur · General source
- World History Encyclopedia. Ur · Reputable source