The 5,000-year-old Ziggurat of Ur, one of Iraq’s most famous archeological sites, has been transferred back to the protection of Iraqi security forces, officials say.

The ziggurat, a multi-level pyramid believed to have a religious significance, is in Dhi Qar province in southeastern Iraq.

Coalition forces have had control of the structure since 2003. They turned it over to Iraqis last week in a ceremony attended by government and military leaders at Contingency Operating Base Adder, according to a news release.

"We will still be here to help out, and I hope the ziggurat will be open to the children and the general public," Anna Prouse, provincial construction team leader in Dhi Qar, was quoted as saying in a news release.

"Every citizen needs to have access to this ziggurat because education is not just in the classrooms," she said.

The transfer is one of the final acts of partnership between Iraqi forces and the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, which will return to Fort Hood, Texas, in early June.

The site is now under the control of the Dhi Qar police and under the management of the Ministry of Tourism, according to the release.