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Ziggurats were temples.

Like many ancient people, the ancient Sumerians believed that powerful gods lived in the sky. They built huge structures, called ziggurats, with steps climbing up to the top. Religious ceremonies were held at the very top. People left offerings of food and wine. The priests enjoyed these offerings, as the gods could not eat for themselves.

The Ziggurat was built in the center of town. It was the center of daily life. Except for festivals, which, for the most part, were gloomy things, the Ziggurat courtyard was gay and lively. You might see an artist painting, a boy racing by on his way to school, someone milking a cow or making a basket.

From the top of the Ziggurat, you could see the protective wall built about the entire town, and over the wall to the farmlands beyond.

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13y ago
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6y ago

Because the Mesopotamians believed that the terraces were the stairs to their land for the gods.

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6y ago

Likely akin to the construction of the pyramid, the stepping-stone design is very workload efficient.

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11y ago

It was the god's ladder

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Q: Why did sumerians build temples on top of ziggurats?
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Where are ziggurats?

Ziggurats were religious structures with a tower that rose in stages and sometimes had a chamber on the top. Some of the terraces were planted with trees so that they resembled mountains. Remnants of these structures still exist around the Iraqi landscape. In the western religion they are noted as "The Tower of Babel."


Why did the Mayans have shrines on the top of the temples?

They used adobe (or dried mud) to build the temples.


What is the purpose of the ziggurat?

The purpose of a ziggurat was to keep a house for the gods, feed the hungry, celebrate, have school lessons and have courts. The ancient Sumerians built the ziggurats as temples that were dedicated to the Mesopotamian gods and goddesses. They were temples built by the Sumerians didicated to the gods in Mesopotamia


What were ziggurats used for?

Ziggurats were temples.Like many ancient people, the ancient Sumerians believed that powerful gods lived in the sky. They built huge structures, called ziggurats, with steps climbing up to the top. Religious ceremonies were held at the very top. People left offerings of food and wine. The priests enjoyed these offerings, as the gods could not eat for themselves.The Ziggurat was built in the center of town. It was the center of daily life. Except for festivals, which, for the most part, were gloomy things, the Ziggurat courtyard was gay and lively. You might see an artist painting, a boy racing by on his way to school, someone milking a cow or making a basket.From the top of the Ziggurat, you could see the protective wall built about the entire town, and over the wall to the farmlands beyond.


Can you live in a pyramid?

The Mayan's used to live in the buildings (temples and palaces) on top of their pyramids, not to sure about the egyptians. You could build a pyramid and live in it so i would say yes =)

Related questions

Did the sumarians built pyramid shaped temples known as potters?

No, the Sumerians did not build pyramid shaped temples known as "potters." Pyramids were constructed by ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians and Mesoamericans, not the Sumerians. The Sumerians built ziggurats, which were stepped temples with a shrine or sanctuary on top.


What did the Sumerians use to build the ziggurats?

The Sumerians used baked mud bricks to construct their ziggurats. These bricks were made from clay mixed with water, shaped, and then baked in the sun or a kiln to harden. The ziggurats were then built by stacking these bricks on top of each other.


What did Sumerians use to house their ziggurats?

Sumerians used baked mud bricks to build their ziggurats. These mud bricks were stacked on top of each other to create a terraced structure, which served as a platform for the temple at the top. The ziggurat was usually coated with a layer of plaster or clay to protect the bricks from erosion.


What was at the top of the Sumerian city states?

there were ziggurats which are temples that people believe gods would be in


How are Egyptian pyramids similar or different form Sumerian ziggurats?

Both Egyptian pyramids and Sumerian ziggurats were ancient structures built as religious monuments. However, pyramids were generally used as tombs for pharaohs in Egypt, while ziggurats were temples used for worship and rituals in Sumeria. Additionally, pyramids had smooth, sloping sides and a pointed top, while ziggurats had terraces or steps leading to a flat top.


Where are ziggurats?

Ziggurats were religious structures with a tower that rose in stages and sometimes had a chamber on the top. Some of the terraces were planted with trees so that they resembled mountains. Remnants of these structures still exist around the Iraqi landscape. In the western religion they are noted as "The Tower of Babel."


When did the religion of Sumerians happen?

Sumerians settled in Mesopotamia around 3500 B.C.E. They are one of the earliest civilizations and had a Temple in the middle of their community called a "ziggurat" meaning "mountain of God." The temples were made up of square levels that had stairs up to the top. The Ziggurats were believed to be home to Chief Gods and only priest could enter the sacred areas. Sumerians saw all natural forces as being alive, such as air, earth, thunder, ect. There ere more than 3,000 gods and goddesses in the Sumerian belief system.


Where did people build temples for Zeus?

on top of really high mountains there was one on mt.olympus


Why did the Mayans have shrines on the top of the temples?

They used adobe (or dried mud) to build the temples.


What is the purpose of the ziggurat?

The purpose of a ziggurat was to keep a house for the gods, feed the hungry, celebrate, have school lessons and have courts. The ancient Sumerians built the ziggurats as temples that were dedicated to the Mesopotamian gods and goddesses. They were temples built by the Sumerians didicated to the gods in Mesopotamia


Why are the ziggurats special?

Ziggurats are special because they were massive, step-shaped ancient Mesopotamian temples built as high platforms to honor the gods and serve as religious centers. They were constructed with mud bricks and typically featured a shrine or temple at the top where only priests could access, symbolizing a link between humans and the divine. Ziggurats were important structures in Mesopotamian city-states and served as focal points for religious activities and ceremonies.


How did Mesopotamians build ziggurats?

Mud bricks were brought from the nearby rivers and baked in the sun. These bricks were then piled one on top of the next and held together using primitive masonry techniques.