Only lately a proper excavation was conducted by the Iraqi Archaeologists at the site, after discovering the exact site of the city, apparently mentioned in foreign archeological books!
The site had been extensively ransacked of all its important cuneiform documents and artifacts, which are now probably in private collections around the world.
Umma, a city near Lagash renowned for the wars it fought trying to free it-self from paying tributes to Lagash (A more powerful city-state), and also the control over water and some border disputes had played a roll in the conflicts between Umma and its neighboring city Lagash;
Documents show that an all-out war broke out on a certain field called Gu-edin which lay at the border between the two states and was claimed by both:
Enakalli, the ensi of Umma, at the command of his god, raided and devoured the Gu-edin, the irrigated land, the field beloved of Ningirsu (Ningirsu; a temple build in Lagash by a prince of unknown origin named Mesalim probably king of Kish!) He ripped out the steel (set up by Mesalim) and entered the plain of Lagash.
The infantry of Lagash, armed with long spears and protected by heavy shields, met in battle the soldiers of Umma, Eannatum king of Lagash won and erected ‘the stele of the vultures’ in celebration of his victory.
Administration texts from Umma, has provided an extraordinary picture of day to day life; daily number of men working in the fields, digging canals, loading and towing canal boats were all recorded. The amount of work completed was noted, and rates of work and payments calculated. A ‘constable’ of the king often carried out, inspections and according to one text even by a royal princess.
‘Royal’, ‘strong’ and ‘weak’ beer were brewed. Closely associated with the control of the state herds was a profitable industry in wool and leather.