The Ziggurat is a religious structure typical of major cities of ancient Mesopotamia (present-day Iraq, Iran, Kuwait and Syria), built as a pyramid-shaped temple. The construction of ziggurats was common from 4200 to 2500 years ago. The word ziggurat is a modern-day pronunciation of the Zighurtu an Akkadian term that comes from the Babylonian and Assyrian texts, meaning a multi-storied temple. The ziggurat is a tower-like stepped pyramid-shaped temple with several floors above which the main temple was located. The construction of such monuments was common in almost all ancient cultures. Although many Elamites used to call it “Kokono“, such monuments in Iran and Mesopotamia are nowadays called ancient ziggurats. The most famous ziggurat of Iran is Chogha Zanbil in Susa.

Chogazanbil Ziggurat, Susa, Iran 

Purpose of Ziggurat

A ziggurat is a type of stepped pyramid that was common in ancient Mesopotamia, particularly in Sumeria, Assyria, and Babylonia. They served as temples dedicated to the deities of the Mesopota. The term “ziggurat” originates from the Akkadian word “ziqquratu,” which means “built on a raised area.”

Ziggurats primarily served as religious monuments, believed to be the dwelling places of the gods. These towering structures were designed to bring the worshipers closer to the heavens, symbolizing a connection between earth and the divine. Besides their spiritual significance, they also served as symbols of the ruler’s power and the city’s prosperity, often reflecting the political and social hierarchy of the time.

Architectural Features

Ziggurats were characterized by a series of receding terraces or levels, each smaller than the one below it. This design created a stepped or tiered appearance, with a broad base and a temple or shrine at the summit. The temples atop the structure were often devoted to the chief god of the city or region.

They were characterized by their distinct tiered design, resembling a step pyramid. The core of these structures was made from mud bricks, with the outer layers often faced with baked bricks to protect against the elements. One of the most distinctive features of ziggurats was their grand staircases, which allowed access to the upper levels.

Ancient Ziggurats of Mesopotamia

So far, 11 ziggurats have been discovered from historical written sources and 21 ziggurats from archaeological excavations.

Several ziggurats have left their mark on history. One of the most well-preserved examples, is the Great Ziggurat of Ur in present-day Iraq, dating back to around 2100 BCE. It was dedicated to the moon god Nanna. While many prototypes have not remained through the passage of time, their architectural and religious importance provides valuable insights into the beliefs and cultures of ancient Mesopotamia. Another notable example is the temple of Aqar Quf near Baghdad, and the legendary Etemenanki of Babylon, which is often associated with the biblical Tower of Babel.

Dur-Sharrukin Ziggurat

The first Ziggurat discovered by archaeologists was the Dur-sharrukin in the Assyrian capital, present day Khorsabad. This ziggurat was built at the behest of the Assyrian king Ashurbanipal in 630 BC. There are now three floors left, and the only access to the upper floors is through a ramp. The multiple floors of this Dur- Sharrukin were painted in white, black and red (from bottom to the top).

On 8 March 2015 the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) reportedly plundered and demolished the Dur-Sharrukin site.

Dur-Sharukhin Ziggurat, Khorsabad, Iraq

Ziggurat of Ur

The largest, most complex, and the most intact ziggurat ever found in Mesopotamia is the ziggurat of Ur, located in the ancient city of Ur near Nasiriyah, in the Iraqi province of Dhi Qar. This large polygon structure is 45 by 64 m and has three terraces at different levels that are 20 to 30 m high with a large staircase leading to each of these terraces. It was built in 21^st c BCE by Ur- Nammu, the founder of the third dynasty of Ur, in order to be a temple to worship the goddess of moon called Nanna.

Ur Ziggurat, Iraq 

At the highest point of the ziggurat is said to be the temple of the goddess Nanna , the patron god of the ancient city of Ur. Unfortunately, this temple is destroyed and only several blue bricks have been found, believed to be of the temple’s interior decoration.
By the end of the sixth century BC, this ziggurat was ruined because unlike the Egyptian pyramids, the ziggurats were made of mud bricks and stacked with bitumen or mud. These bricks were moistened by winter rains and cracked in the summer heat.
The ziggurat was restored twice; once by Neo-Babylonian King Nabonidus, in the sixth century BCE, he built several buildings on top of the main building. While Ur-Nammu used solid bitumen, mud and lime to build the ziggurat, Nabonidus’ workers used ordinary mortars to repair it, so the wind and rain have gradually destroyed the structure after hundreds of years .
The second restoration process took place 2500 years later, in the 1980s, under the rule of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

Ziggurat of Babylon

Other well-known element of the ancient world is the Ziggurat of Babylon (also the tower of Babel) known as the Connection house of earth and sky.

Also Read: Persepolis Ultimate Guide 

Ziggurats vs Pyramids 

Although the two structures are very similar, they bear some differences:

1. Pyramids are mostly used as tombs or burial sites while ziggurats are more temples.

2. Ziggurats were built in ancient Mesopotamia while pyramids were built in ancient Egypt and South America.

3. Ziggurats have steps or terraces on the sides and are multi-story while pyramids have only one long stair.

4. Ziggurats are mostly decorated but solid structures with a temple on the top (with ramp or stair access), while pyramids are usually bare and have internal chambers.

Ziggurat vs Pyramid 

Also Read: Zoroastrian Fire Temples 

The oldest Ziggurats in Iran

Iran, with its rich history and diverse cultures, was home to several early civilizations that left a lasting impact on the region. Among these was the Elamite civilization, which played a crucial role in the construction of ziggurats in ancient Iran. Influenced by neighboring Mesopotamia, the Elamites adopted and adapted the concept, creating their own unique versions that served as both religious centers and symbols of power. Here is a list of ancient ziggurats of Iran:

1

Sialk Ziggurat of Kashan

The world’s oldest ziggurat: It was built between 4700 and 4500 years ago in present city of Kashan, almost when writhing was invented. More than 125,000 bricks measuring 35 by 35 by 15 cm were used to build this ziggurat, which consists of three platforms on top of each other. The actual height of the structure is unclear, but what remains of it today is 14 meters above ground level. The only access to the top of the temple is a gentle slope ramp.

2

The Susa Ziggurat

Built about 3800 years ago which is now destroyed and we know about it from historical sources.

3

Jiroft Konar Sandal Ziggurat

Konar Sandal is a recently discovered ziggurat located in Jiroft area, and is remaining from the Jiroft civilization.
Also known as Jiroft Ziggurat, it is an ancient archaeological site located in the Kerman province of southeastern Iran. It is part of the broader Jiroft civilization, which dates back to the early Bronze Age, around 3,000 BCE. The site has drawn significant attention from archaeologists due to the discovery of intricate artifacts, suggesting that Jiroft may have been one of the earliest centers of civilization, possibly even predating Mesopotamia.

The ziggurat itself is a stepped structure, typical of ancient Near Eastern religious architecture, believed to have been used for religious or ceremonial purposes. The significance of the site lies in its potential to reshape our understanding of ancient civilizations, highlighting a previously underestimated culture with advanced architectural and artistic achievements.

The ongoing excavations at Jiroft continue to reveal more about this mysterious and ancient society, offering fascinating insights into early human history.

4

Haft Tappeh Ziggurat

Based on medieval Elemite excavations by Dr. Negahban in 1978, this structure was founded in 1357 BC.

Haft Tappeh, which is an ancient site in Khuzestan province, is located about 10 km southeast of the city of Susa and is a collection of ancient hills that probably contain the city of Tikni or Kabnak of Elam civilization.

The vastness of this ancient site has attracted the attention of various explorers. According to some theories, this city was one of the important political centers during the reign of the Elamites and the kingdom of Tepti ‌-Ahar in the fifteenth century BC, after which the city of Susa became the center of power, although there is no strong evidence to prove it. .

5

Chogha Zanbil Ziggurat

The most famous ziggurat in Iran is undoubtedly Chogha Zanbil, located near the ancient city of Susa in the Khuzestan province. Discovered in the 1930s by French archaeologist Roman Ghirshman, Chogha Zanbil is one of the best-preserved of its kind in the world. Built around 1250 BCE by the Elamite king Untash-Napirisha, this massive structure was dedicated to the Elamite gods, particularly the god Inshushinak.
The Russian-French archaeologist Roman Girshman carried out the first scientific excavations on an ancient mound where Chogha Zanbil existed beneath, and unveiled the five-storied ziggurat from under the soil. Three floors of this temple have remained intact.

Choghazanbil is located in Khuzestan province, 40 kilometers southeast of Susa and 20 kilometers from Haft-Tepeh, near the western bank of the Dez River.

Chogazanbil Ziggurat, Susa, Iran 

Choghazanbil Architecture

Archaeological site of Chogazanbil consists of a huge ziggurat or temple built by Elamite King Untash Napirisha (c.1265–c. 1245 BCE) to fulfill the function of being the holy temple of god Inshushinak (Protective God of Susa) around 1250 BC. The temple is a huge multiple-story monument whose floors are all built individually on the ground with different heights. The ground floor is a square of 103 x 103 m.

The Choghazenbil area is enclosed by a huge surrounding wall. Another inner wall encompasses the central building making an enclosure of about 400 * 400 m as a yard around the building. There used to be seven gates that connect the courtyards with the surrounding area of the ziggurat.

The main building of Chogazenbil had originally five floors, that two of which have been destroyed. The main entrance in the south part of the complex has decorative bricks with colorful blue and white glaze and decorative motifs. The name of the founder, the Elamite King Untash Gal is inscripted on them in the Elamite cuneiform script along with Inshushinak, the great Elamite god.

The Sacrifice Platform: Around the temple, on the courtyard floor are two circular cut platforms, with unknown function. Some archeologists have considered them as altars, and others related them to astronomy and the sundial. But the prominent theory mentions them as Sacrifice platforms.
At Louvre Museum in Paris there is a bronze plate, most likely belonging to Chogazanbil Sacrificial Table. Two snakes and five women are seen around the sacrifice plate. The size, precision and elegance used in the construction of this plate show the great skill of the Elamite metalworkers.

The Decline of a Civilization

The beautiful and scenic architecture of Dur-Untash ziggurat attracted lots of people who migrated to this large city from different parts of Mesopotamia, but the prosperity didn’t last long. With the death of King Untash Napierisha, his successors did not continue to complete the development of the city, and even some of the city’s artworks and sculptures were moved to Susa. In the year 1260 BC, 611 years after the construction of the city of Dur-Untash, the powerful Assyrian king, Ashur Banipal, attacked Elam to take revenge on Elamites for the conquest of Babylon, the great ally of Assyrians.

Left: Assyrian King Ashurbanipal, British museum    |     Right: Clay Inscription, Chogazanbil, Iran 

In one of his inscriptions, the story of the conquest of Elam was described as follows: “I turned Susa and other Elamite cities into ashes and in one month and a day the land of Elam with all its breadth, I conquered.  I deprived this land of cattle and sheep, and of music, and allowed the predators, snakes, and animals to conquer it.” 

Also Read: Cyrus The Great 

Also Read: Iran’s Top 10 Places to Visit 

Ziggurat – Pyramids of Mesoamerica

Mesoamerca’s Ziggurats have captured the imagination of modern society, appearing in movies, video games, and literature. They are often depicted as mysterious, ancient structures, symbolizing the power and wisdom of lost civilizations.

Mesoamericas actually contain more Ziggurat structures than the rest of the planet. Civilizations such as Aztec,Olmec, Maya, and Inca all built stepped pyramids to get closer to gods, to house their deities, to sacrifice, as well as to bury their rulers. In these old cultures, temples formed the sacred center of public life and were the site of holy rituals. The best known Mesoamerican stepped ziggurats (Also called pyramids) are as below:

Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon at Teotihuacán in central Mexico

The Castillo at Chichén Itzá in the Yucatan,

The Great Pyramid in the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan

The Pyramid at Cholula and the Inca’s great temple at Cuzco in Peru.

Teotihuacan, Mexico 

Decline of Ziggurats

The decline of ziggurats began as Mesopotamian civilizations fell to outside forces and new architectural styles emerged. By the 6th century BCE, many of these structures had fallen into disuse, their materials repurposed for other buildings. Despite their decline, the legacy of ziggurats lived on, influencing religious and architectural practices for centuries.

Ziggurat Fast Facts

– Ziggurat is a solid structure (without any interior space) made of clay bricks.

– The bases of ziggurats are square in shape.

– Geographically, apart from Sialk Ziggurat in Kashan  located in central Iranian plateau, ziggurats are mostly distributed between Sumer – Babylon – Assyria and southwestern Iran. So far, none of the identified ziggurats have remained intact and therefore their exact height has not been determined. The upper floor of the ziggurats was reached by stairs or a slope.

– The spaces around the ziggurat were decorated with trees.

– In ancient times, people believed that Gods lived in the sky and there was the custom of worshiping deities from high places. The purpose of the ziggurat was to get closer to the gods.

– Inhabitants of the Central Plateau of Iran and Mesopotamia built ziggurats in a shape inspired by high mountains and held religious ceremonies on top of them.

– Multiple floors of ziggurats are built on the ground independently. They made the tallest floor in the center, thereby reinforcing the sides of the tall central tower by building a new floor all around it, so the complex looked like a huge multi-storied pyramid.

Ziggurat FAQs 

What is a ziggurat?
A ziggurat is a massive, terraced structure built in ancient Mesopotamia, serving as a temple to the gods.

How were ziggurats constructed?
Ziggurats were constructed using mud bricks for the core and baked bricks for the exterior, with each level built on top of the other to form a stepped pyramid.

What was the purpose of a ziggurat in ancient times?
Ziggurats served as religious temples and symbols of a city’s wealth and power, believed to connect the heavens and the earth.

Are there any ziggurats still standing today?
Yes, several ziggurats, such as the Great Ziggurat of Ur, still stand today, although many are in ruins.

How do ziggurats differ from pyramids?
Ziggurats were used as temples with flat tops, while pyramids, like those in Egypt, were primarily built as tombs with pointed tops.

What is the Chogha Zanbil ziggurat?
The Chogha Zanbil ziggurat is an ancient Elamite temple complex in Iran, one of the best-preserved ziggurats in the world, built around 1250 BCE.

Why was the Chogha Zanbil ziggurat built?
It was built as a religious site dedicated to the Elamite gods, particularly the god Inshushinak, and served as a symbol of the king’s divine authority.

How does Chogha Zanbil compare to other ziggurats?
Chogha Zanbil is one of the largest and best-preserved ziggurats, with unique architectural features that reflect the advanced engineering skills of the Elamites.

Are there other ziggurats in Iran?
Yes, there are other ziggurats in Iran, though they are less well-known and not as well-preserved as Chogha Zanbil.