gcls_WFP_986

EMBASSY OF IRAQ
WASHINGTON, D.C.

See Page 208 for pictures of Ur of the Chaldees. In putting a log on the fire, the first stone was lost when the case was broken. The Embassy of Iraq kindly replaced the lost rock.

[crest]

1617 December 17, 1953

Mr. John M. Holmes
Greenville
South Carolina.

Dear Sir:

This is in reference to a communication we received from the Honorable Robert T. Ashmore, a Member of Congress from South Carolina, in which he inquired about the possibility of obtaining a small rock or stone from "Ur" of the Chaldees for you.

Upon receipt of Congressman Ashmore's communication we forwarded same to the appropriate authorities in Iraq, and have just received the following which we are pleased to forward to you:

1. Painted potsherd of the Ubald period type, found at Ur. Dating back to about 4500 B.C.
2. A fragment of a stone bowl from Ur, dated to about 3000 B.C.

Thanking you for our intereste in our country, we remain,

Very truly yours,
[signature]
Moussa Shabandar,
Ambassador.

P.S. The two articles mentioned in the above ltter are being fowarded under separate cover.