Ancient site unearthed in Iraqi home of Abraham

BAGHDAD - The Associated Press

This photo taken on March 31, 2013 provided by Manchester University archaeologist Stuart Campbell shows excavation in progress at Tell Khaiber, Iraq. AP Photo

A British archaeologist says he and his colleagues have unearthed a huge, rare complex near the ancient city of Ur in southern Iraq, home of the biblical Abraham.
 
Stuart Campbell of Manchester University's Archaeology Department says it goes back about 4,000 years, around the time Abraham would have lived there. It's believed to be an administrative center for Ur.
Campbell said Thursday it's roughly the size of a football pitch - about 80 meters on each side. He says complexes of this size and age are rare.
 
He says one of the finds is a plaque of a worshipper wearing a flowing robe and approaching a sacred site.
 
It's the first British archaeological dig in southern Iraq since the 80s. It's possible because parts of Iraq are now relatively stable.