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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Science
Tobi Thomas

Discovery of 4,500-year-old palace in Iraq may hold key to ancient civilisation

Archaeologists and workers excavate the ancient Sumerian city of Girsu, located in modern-day Tello, Iraq
Archaeologists and workers excavate the ancient Sumerian city of Girsu, located in modern-day Tello, Iraq. Photograph: Asaad Niazi/AFP/Getty Images

It has been described by the director of the British Museum as “one of the most fascinating sites” he has has ever visited, but the archaeologist who led the discovery of a lost Sumerian temple in the ancient city of Girsu has said he was accused of “making it up” and wasting funding.

Dr Sebastien Rey led the project that discovered the 4,500-year-old palace in modern-day Iraq – thought to hold the key to more information about one of the first known civilisations.

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