A (Akkadian: ziqqurat ) is a massive, terraced pyramid structure built in ancient Mesopotamia and Elam between 4000 BCE and 600 BCE. Unlike the smooth-sided Egyptian pyramids, ziggurats were stepped towers made primarily of mud-brick, serving as religious and administrative hubs. 1. Purpose and Symbolism
: They served as the central point of a city's administrative and economic life, often including storehouses and quarters for priests and officials. 2. Architectural Features zikkurat
: They featured multiple receding levels (tiers) connected by ramps or a triple-staircase system. A (Akkadian: ziqqurat ) is a massive, terraced