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HIS. OF FURNITURE (IDES3341_201_1310)
Assignment 2
Architecture of Mesopotamia
The Ziggurat Temple
Khulood alfozan
200900032
The Ziggurat Temple is one of the big structured architectural works of the Mesopotamia or
Summerian civilization that dates back 4 to 6 centuries BC. The ziggurats pyramids are made of
sun-baked bricks and they can be in either of three shapes:
rectangular, oval, or square platform. There are 32 ziggurats
found near Nasiriyah of Iraq. The Ziggurats were actually
huge pyramidal that was built as temple or places of
worship.
The design was unique with compare to the other ancient
designs and they were used as temples, monument, astrology and also the Summerian Kings
engraved their names on them. Here are the architectural features of ziggurats pyramids designs:
One distinct features of the design is that, the whole structure of the Ziggurat of the rectangular
types, are terraced in step-like pyramid that may compose of from three to seven stages. The first
stage was about 11 m and the second stage was 5.7 m and the rest narrows as they rise.
Another distinct features in the classical ziggurats temple are that, its top is tower-shaped unlike
the ancient Egyptian ones whose top is pointed. That is because the top sector is where the
temple is.
Also a distinct feature in the Ziggurat design is that the structure is straight or upright unlike the
common pyramids which have bent-axis.
Also the pyramided Ziggurat design structure is not plain one but they were terrain-shaped. The
pyramids have ramps, which lead to its top, and they are spiral.
The faces of the Ziggurat pyramid design are decorated with inscription and glazed in different
colors.
References
1. Nicholas P., (1994). Early Mesopotamia: Society and Economy at the Dawn of History.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&r_0QXD6YDoCA&usg=AFQjCNFdvCDLdW2r2YElNj
ILIqxZR5pBMQ&sig2=rCH0LJDHrpNgxKQENdtpSQ
2. Pollock, S., (1999). Ancient Mesopotamia.
http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/ED/TRC/MESO/architecture.html