Ur-gir and the other dogs from Abu Tberah (Southern Iraq): Considerations on the role of dogs in Sumer during the 3rd Millennium BCE

The site of Abu Tbeirah is located about 15 Km NE of Ur (Southern Iraq) and is dated to the second half of the 3rd millennium. The large faunal assemblage includes mainly domestic animals associated with many fish and mollusk remains. Dog elements are in general rare a′nd were recovered in some cases associated with human burials, while in others they seem to represent isolated intentional interments of this animal; these findings will also be considered within the framework of the beliefs regarding the animal world in the Sumerian culture as we know it from literary sources and iconographic evidences.