Iraqi forces now securing historical Ziggurat at Ur

"What you see here today has been set up by the Iraqi people," said Dr. Anna Prouse, the Dhi Qar Provincial Reconstruction Team leader. "We will still be here to help out and I hope the Ziggurat will be open to the children and the general public."

Prouse's PRT and the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, assisted the Iraqi security forces and Mr. Hamdani, the Head of Antiquities in Nasiryah, to plan the event, which included various government officials and military leaders throughout central and southern Iraq.

"Every citizen needs to have access to this Ziggurat because education is not just in the class rooms," Prouse added. "Education can also happen here."

The transfer marks one of the final acts of partnership between the Iraqi security forces and the 4th Brigade Combat Team as the unit is set to return to Fort Hood, Texas in early June.