The ZigguratBy: :Eryn, Dia, Maria, & Trevor

• The first ziggurat was built by the Sumerians around 1400 BC in Ur.

Mud Brick Buildings

Stairways to multiple levels

Weep Holes to provide drainage

The Uses

•The Main purpose of the ziggurat was to provide a place of worshiping the Gods.

•Food storage and distribution •Marketplace, trading of goods •Celebrations

• Inside every ziggurat was a rectangular central shrine called a cella, for the god’s emblem or statue.

• In front of the statue was an altar, a mud brick table for offerings to the god

Cella

Ziggurat Myth

The ziggurats had steps to the top because they thought that the gods would come down on the steps. Religious ceremonies were held at the top. They were built in the center of town and were the center for daily life.

• The temples were known as “waiting rooms” where the priests and priestesses waited for the gods and goddesses to reveal themselves

Sumerian MythSumerians believed that a person must keep the gods happy by going to the ziggurat and praying to them. They believed that the gods would reward them for good service. They also believed that the gods would punish the people who made them angry

• There are about 32 Ziggurat cities which have mostly crumbled, however churches and temples are our ziggurats of today.

Many ancient writers say this to be one of the 7 wonders of the world .

RESOURCES• All About World History http://www.allabouthistory.org/ancient-mesopotamia.htm• Global Security http://www.livius.org/za-zn/ziggurat/ziggurat.html• Livius

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iraq/history-sumer-ziggurats.htm