Ziggurat of Ur
The Ziggurat (or Great Ziggurat) of Ur (Sumerian: 𒂍𒋼𒅎𒅍 é-temen-ní-gùru "Etemenniguru", meaning "temple whose foundation creates aura") is a Neo-Sumerian ziggurat in what was the city of Ur near Nasiriyah, in present-day Dhi Qar Province, Iraq. The structure was built during the Early Bronze Age (21st century BC) but had crumbled to ruins by the 6th century BC of the Neo-Babylonian period, when it was restored by King Nabonidus.
Etemenniguru | |
Partially reconstructed facade and the access staircase of the ziggurat. The actual remains of the Neo-Babylonian structure can be seen at the top. | |
Ziggurat of Ur Shown within Iraq | |
| Alternative name | Great Ziggurat of Ur |
|---|---|
| Location | Tell el-Muqayyar, Dhi Qar Province, Iraq |
| Region | Mesopotamia |
| Coordinates | 30°57′46″N 46°6′11″E |
| Type | Temple |
| Part of | Ur |
| Area | 2880 m2 |
| Height | over 30 m |
| History | |
| Builder | Ur-Nammu |
| Material | mud brick with burnt brick facing |
| Founded | started in c. 2050–2030 BC, completed in c. 2030–1980 BC |
Its remains were excavated in the 1920s and 1930s by Sir Leonard Woolley. Under Saddam Hussein in the 1980s, they were encased by a partial reconstruction of the façade and the monumental staircase. The Ziggurat of Ur is the best-preserved of those known from Mesopotamia, besides the ziggurat of Dur Untash (Chogha Zanbil). It is one of three well-preserved structures of the Neo-Sumerian city of Ur, along with the Royal Mausolea and the Palace of Ur-Nammu (the E-hursag).