Mario Maiorana

The Ziggurat of Ur

General Description:

The Ziggurat of Ur is located in southern Iraq. It was built in what was then the city of Mesopotamia between 2250-2233 B.C. Ur-Nammu became the ruler of the cities of Mesopotamia around 2100 B.C. He built several Ziggurats to worship gods. They were built up until 500 B.C. The Ziggurat of Ur was built to worship the moon god Nanna.

Architectural Design:

The Ziggurat has a pyramid look to it. The front has three sets of steps leading to the top. The size of this structure is breathtaking considering when it was constructed. The structure is filled with sand. As you walk around the structure you see hundreds of openings which allow water to escape and allow for expansion caused by moisture. On the left, right, and back side of the structure there is a small set of steps that lead into a false entranceway giving the appearance that the structure is hollow and you can enter it. The faces of the walls have several staggered vertical layers giving a pillar like appearance. The facade of the Ziggurat has eroded throughout the years and is missing the top three levels. In 1923 an excavation jointly sponsored by the British Museum and the University of Pennsylvania Museum cleared the rubble around the Ziggurat. It was reconstructed to its present state by the Iraqi Directorate of Antiquities.

Harmony with Nature:

Being in southern Iraq, the surroundings of the Ziggurat are vast flat desert land. On the left side of the Ziggurat are the excavated remains of the city of Ur. The bricks that construct the Ziggurat are the same tan color as the desert sands that surround the structure. The Ziggurat can be seen from miles away due to its size. The view from the top of the structure is immense and desolate. It is relaxing to look at the Ziggurat from a distance in the quiet desert.

Symbolism and Sacred Objects:

Obviously the Ziggurat has great symbolism as a religious artifact. There are also tombs that have been excavated which are quite amazing to the left side of the structure. The tombs are underground and built of brick like the Ziggurat. Many of the bricks in the tombs have script carved into them. The home of Abraham has also been reconstructed on the site.
How it is used by Worshippers:
Ziggurats enabled worshipers to get closer to the gods they worshipped. This aided in their communication with the gods. Ziggurats were also built as an offering to the god the city worshipped.

Personal Experience at the Ziggurat:

In 2003 I had the great opportunity to visit the Ziggurat and the remains of the city of Ur. I was also able to see the Ziggurat from the base I was stationed at. It is a beautiful sight especially considering that it was created 4000 years ago.
Sources:
Ziggurat. The Metropolitan Museum of Art <http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/zigg/hd_zigg.htm>
Ur. University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology <http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/archaeology/sites/middle_east/ur.html>
Ancient Babylonia - The Ziggurats. Bible History Online <http://www.bible-history.com/babylonia/BabyloniaThe_Ziggurat.htm>