Ziggurat of Ur

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by en:User:Hardnfast

/ CC BY 3.0

The Ziggurat of Ur, located in Nasiriyah, Iraq, is a monumental structure dating back to the early Bronze Age, around the 21st century BCE. This ancient Mesopotamian ziggurat was dedicated to the moon god Nanna and served as a temple complex for the city of Ur. Constructed under the rule of King Ur-Nammu, the ziggurat features a series of terraces or platforms that ascend in a step-like fashion, culminating in a shrine at the top. The structure exemplifies the architectural ingenuity of the Sumerians, with its sturdy mud-brick foundation and baked brick exterior. The Ziggurat of Ur not only functioned as a religious center but also played a significant role in the administrative and economic activities of the city.