Explorations in Bible lands during the 19th century - H. V. Hilprecht

DURING 19 CENTURY: ASSYRIA AND BABYLONIA 231
This temple existed at Tello from the earliest times. 1
But an examination of the inscription on the statue of Ur-
Bau, and the results of De Sarzec's explorations in the lower
strata, would seem to indicate that this ruler abandoned the old
site of Eninnu altogether, and rebuilt the temple on a larger
scale at the place where its ruins are seen at present. However,
it must not be forgotten that the displacement of a
renowned sanctuary involved in this theory is something
unheard of in the history of ancient Babylonia.
It is contrary
to the well-known spirit of conservatism manifested by the
ancient inhabitants of Babylonia in all matters connected
with their religion, and directly opposed to the numerous
statements contained in the so-called building inscriptions
and boundary regulations of all periods. 2
Unfortunately very little of the temple of Nin-Su(n)gir
seems to have been left. De Sarzec had previously discovered
a wall of Ur-Bau under the east corner of the palace.
But
besides it and the tower and gate of Gudea he brought nothing
to light except layers of crude bricks from the artificial
terrace.
In the light of these negative results, how can the
continuity of the sanctuary at one and the same place be
defended ? On the ground that in order to secure a stronger
and larger foundation for his own new sanctuary, Ur-Bau
may have razed the crumbling terrace of the old temple
entirely, as many other Babylonian
and Assyrian monarchs
1
The E-Ningirsu of Ur-Nina is practically the same name as E-Ninnu,
both meaning " temple of Ninib." As far as I can see, the name E-Ninnu
occurs for the first time in the inscriptions of Entemena, great-grandson of
Ur-Nina, and in a text of Urukagina.
2
That in the earliest days of ancient Babylonia practically the same spirit
prevailed as in Semitic times with regard to the inviolable character of sacred
enclosures, boundary lines, agreements (especially when made with gods, /'. e. ,
their territory, income, gifts) is clear from certain instructive passages engraved
upon "the historical cone of Entemena," which doubtless came from Tello
(comp. Revue d' Assyriologie, vol. iv, pp. 37, seqq.~), and from the long
curse attached to Gudea' s inscription on Statue B.