1880-1960

British archaeologist known for his discoveries and excavations at Ur, a city in ancient Sumer (now a part of Iraq). Between 1922-34 he directed the work at Ur, revealing a previously unknown people, the Sumerians. Here he also found geologic evidence for a great flood, possibly the flood described in the Bible. His work greatly advanced knowledge of ancient Mesopotamian civilizations by revealing much about everyday life, art, architecture, literature, government, and religion.