Situated on an ancient branch of the Euphrates River 80 kilometers south of Baghdad in Iraq, Kish was one of the city-states of the Sumer civilization. Occupation began in the Jemdet Nasr phase and the city was of major importance in the early 3rd millennium BC. It declined in importance later but remained in occupation until the Sassanian period. One of the most important monuments excavated is an Early Dynastic palace, one of the earliest indications any where in Sumer of the growing power of kings whlch was to challenge and eventually over take that of the Temple [religious] organizations during the course of the Early Dynastic period. Important remains still standing at Kish include two temples, one probably dedicated to Inanna the Sumerian goddess of love of the 6th century BC.


Kish is the collective name for at least 40 tells (mounds) arranged in an oval measuring 1.5 by 5 miles. The important mounds are called Uhaimir and Ingharra. Occupations span the period from circa 3000 BC to AD 650. The major excavation was the Oxford-Field Museum Expedition of 1923-1933. There is an important standing temple at Kish of the Neo-Babylonian Period perhaps built by Nebuchadnezzar II (604-562 BC).