A ziggurat is a work of monumental architecture rising in steps to a flat platform and topped by a temple. The structure emerged in ancient Mesopotamia for use in religious rituals.

When were ziggurats built in Mesopotamia?

Ziggurat foundations date to c. 5000 BCE in some areas of Mesopotamia, but the dates when most were built and used are c. 3000-500 BCE.

Why were ziggurats built?

Ziggurats were built for religious reasons, notably to elevate a high priest toward the heavens to commune with the patron god of the city. A temple or shrine was usually built on top of the ziggurat for the god.

Why did ziggurat building end?

Ziggurats stopped being built after the monotheistic religion of Zoroastrianism became more widespread c. 500 BCE. Worship services after this date take a different form and ziggurats became obsolete.

Ziggurat Timeline

Definition

A ziggurat is a form of monumental architecture originating in ancient Mesopotamia which usually had a rectangular base and was built in a series of steps up to a flat platform upon which a temple was raised. The ziggurat was an artificial mountain raised for the worship of the gods to elevate the priests toward heaven.

More about: Ziggurat

Timeline

c. 5000 BCE - 4100 BCE
First ziggurats in Mesopotamia thought to appear during the Ubaid Period.
4100 BCE - 2900 BCE
Sumerian ziggurats are built during the Uruk Period.
c. 3000 BCE
Ziggurat of Uruk is built.
c. 3000 BCE - 500 BCE
Ziggurats are built and used as religious sites throughout Mesopotamia.
2900 BCE - 2334 BCE
Ziggurats continue to be built in every city center during the Early Dynastic Period.
2100 BCE
Ziggurats in use in Sumerian cities of Eridu, Uruk, Ur, Nippur and elsewhere
2047 BCE - 1982 BCE
Ziggurat of Ur is built.
c. 1300 BCE - c. 900 BCE
Ziggurat of Babylon is built.
689 BCE
Ziggurat of Babylon destroyed with the rest of the city by King Sennacherib.
c. 681 BCE - c. 562 BCE
Ziggurat of Babylon is rebuilt.
c. 500 BCE
Ziggurats are abandoned and no new ones built in Mesopotamia.

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