The Neo-Sumerian Ziggurat of Ur | Madain Project YouTube Video Summary
This video by Madain Project explores the Neo-Sumerian Ziggurat of Ur, located near Nasiriyah in Iraq's Dhi Qar Province. Built during the Early Bronze Age (21st century BCE) and restored by King Nabonidus, the ziggurat is noted as one of the best-preserved structures from ancient Iran and Iraq. The video details its construction from mud brick and baked bricks laid with bitumen and its role as a central temple complex, focusing on the Nanna temple, while noting its restoration during the Saddam era.
Detailed Summary:
The Great Ziggurat of Ur: An Ancient Marvel
The Great Ziggurat of Ur stands as a testament to the ingenuity and architectural prowess of the Neo-Sumerians. Located in what was once the city of Ur, near Nasiriyah in present-day Dhi Qar Province, Iraq, this ziggurat is a well-preserved example of ancient Mesopotamian architecture.
Historical Context and Construction
Constructed during the Early Bronze Age (21st century BCE), the Ziggurat of Ur experienced periods of glory and decay. By the 6th century BCE, it had crumbled to ruins until King Nabonidus of the Neo-Babylonian period initiated a restoration. According to the video, the core of the ziggurat is made of mud brick covered with baked bricks laid with bitumen, a naturally occurring tar.
Significance and Structure
The Ziggurat of Ur was a centerpiece of a larger temple complex, serving as an administrative center and a shrine for the moon god Nanna, the patron deity of Ur. Though the Nanna temple at its top has not survived, blue glazed bricks discovered by archaeologists suggest the temple was once adorned with elaborate decorations.
The lower portion of the ziggurat, which supported the first terrace, is estimated to have used some 720,000 baked bricks, highlighting the staggering resources required for its construction.
Preservation and Restoration
Considered one of the best-preserved ziggurats from Iran and Iraq, it stands alongside the ziggurat of Dur Untash (Chogha Zanbil). The Ziggurat of Ur 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). The video also notes it underwent extensive restoration during the Saddam era, ensuring its continued preservation for future generations.