An Early Dynastic city-state of ancient Sumer near Babylon, spreads over a series of tells. Occupation began in the Jemdet Nasr period, succeeded by Early Dynastic levels containing the remains of a royal Sumerian palace. There are also Neo-Babylonian forts, temples, tombs, and a Parthian fort and buildings. Though the supremacy passed to Ur c 2600 BC, Kish remained in occupation right through to the Sassanian period in the early centuries AD. In the Early Dynastic levels, there are rich burials including cart burials similar to those at Ur and Susa. The importance of Kish is seen in texts where it was said to play a pivotal role in the regional political affairs. The city may have been the center of a cultural tradition distinct from that further south in Mesopotamia.