ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Iraq’s culture ministry on Sunday announced it has prepared the speculative tables for a project aimed at restoring the archeological site of Ur in the southern province of Dhi Qar, with a budget of 19 billion dinars (more than $14 million), in an effort to support the tourism sector.

The project is undertaken by the General Authority for Antiquities and Heritage, affiliated with the Ministry of Culture, “with an estimated cost of 19 billion dinars, to enhance the preservation of the city's historical heritage,” according to the state newspaper.

Mohammed al-Bayati, director of the maintenance department, told the official al-Sabah newspaper, that the project aims at “providing a safe environment for visitors, as well as supporting cultural tourism and showcasing Iraq's civilizational depth for future generations."

The official added that the undertaking “includes rehabilitating the infrastructure and surrounding facilities,” in cooperation with a supervisory committee at the Council of Ministers, as well as international organizations.

Situated in southern Iraq’s Dhi Qar province, Ur was a Sumerian city in Mesopotamia. The archeological site showcases ancient architectural construction in the region, with its most notable structure being the Ziggurat of Ur built by King Ur-Nammu, only partially reconstructed today.

Dhi Qar’s antiquities inspectorate in October announced that the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Dub Lakh, one of the world’s oldest temples, is underway in the ancient city of Ur. The temple has for years been damaged due to the effects of climate change.