Ziggurats Research Paper

     Archeologists suggest that the large stones used in building the pyramids were transported by rolling them over logs or a wet, slippery, clay surface. These methods may have been effective in moving the blocks close to

Joseph Davidovits discovered a simple chemical process that turned a putty mixture into stone and argues that this method was used in the construction of the Great Pyramid. Joseph Davidovits explains that the pyramid blocks were simply stone casted instead of being cut and hauled from the quarry. This is a very probable answer because all the needed materials are available. Davidovits indicates that the use of a ramp, as Clifford Wilson suggests, must have been larger than the pyramid in order to allow a slight angle for the workers to drag the blocks up. Another problem with the use of the ramp is that three are no murals at the time showing the ramps and sleds that were supposedly used to move the blocks. Davidovits demonstrates a unique method of the construction of the pyramids, but this is not as well as Wilson’s theory because there are problems with Davidovits’ theory.

The history started in 2650 B.C.E at the death of King Djoser. His architect, Imhotep, built a design of pyramid called the Step Pyramid. This was supposed to represent a large stairway to which he would climb up to the sun-god in the sky. This sparked the interest in pyramids, which soon gave ideas to other architects.

This is proof of the Sumerian architectural abilities. The architecture in Mesopotamia are considered to have been contemporary with the founding of the Sumerian cities, but there was some complexity in the architectural design during this Protoliterate period (c. 3400-c. 2900 BC). This is shown in the design of many religious buildings. Typical temples of the Protoliterate period--both the platform type and the type built at ground level--are, however, much more elaborate both in planning and ornament. The interior was decorated with cones sunk into the wall, covered in bronze. Most cities were simple in structure, but the ziggurat was one of the world's first complex architectural structures.

     Paralleling the pyramids in Egypt were the ziggurats of Mesopotamia. Mesopotamia (meaning between two rivers, the Tigress and Euphrates) began making these structures around roughly 2000 BC. They were made of bricks that they produced on the building’s work site. There were sun-dried bricks to make up the solid inside of the ziggurat, and there were kiln fired bricks that made up the structures façade. These bricks were much smaller than the stones used in Egypt and also did not have to be brought from far away. Some of the ziggurats were built on top of older ones. Like Egyptian pyramids, the ziggurat was believed to be a kind of gateway between heaven and earth, but unlike the pyramids, the ziggurats where not tombs for kings. Rather they were believed to be the earthly homes of gods. Egyptians built their massive structures outside of major populated areas. But the ziggurats were in prominent areas. Cities had their own patron god or goddess (some places even had two ziggurats, one for a god of both sexes) and priests were the only ones allowed into these temples. They had the honor of catering to the needs of the gods and were powerful figures in their respective communities. Mesopotamians also built the Tower of Babel, which was supposed to have been built as bridge from earth to heaven. It was most likely located in Neo-Babylonia (home of the Hanging Gardens) and was also one of

History has been passed down but have never been documented. About 2000 B.C.E., history has been recorded on cuneiform tablets. From circa 1900 – 1600 B.C.E. Gilgamesh stories and literature were recorded by the Akkadians. But without the cuneiforms, an invention credited with the Sumerians, there probably would not be stories, literature, or history of the Gilgamesh to be passed on to know about today. Another invention credited with the Sumerians, is the ziggurat. The ziggurat was established by King Urnammu from circa 2500 – 2050 B.C.E. It was made of mud brick. The Sumerian’s architecture were square or rectangular that was made of mud bricks but the layout of the temples were built on raised platforms. The temple is actually on top of the ziggurat. It is believed that it will bring worshipers closer to heaven. Without the ziggurat, which was credited with the Sumerians, religious beliefs would have stayed the same. With the ziggurats, the Sumerians valued the religious

Egypt is also known for its statues depicting various gods and tombs for its numerous pharaohs. Their architectural prowess is a feat marveled at even today. The ability to design and build such grand monuments such as the iconic pyramids of Giza, rivalling even the Mayan and Aztec temples of South and Central America, reveals the true nature of innovation in Egypt. In fact, even without modern tools of measurement, the Great Pyramid, the largest tomb in Egypt, is almost geometrically perfect. For such a large structure, the length of all four sides at its base differ by less than a foot (McKenty 1).

It is known for certain that these people used sleds to move the large stones to the construction site, but it unknown as to how they got them all the way up the height of the pyramid. In any case, Egyptian architecture changed our modern monuments. The Washington Monument is considered a monolith, another type of monument the Egyptians used along with pyramids. Also, on the back of our dollar bill, there is an Egyptian pyramid. The Egyptians made a lot of architectural advancements, and influenced

The size, design, and structure of the pyramids reveal the skill of these ancient builders.

Brunelleschi’s dome was built on top of a cathedral in Florence, Italy. There was a contest announced in 1418 that the person who could design the ideal dome would win 200 gold florins. There were several questions that needed to be answered like issues with scaffolding, how to make sure the dome didn’t collapse while building it, and how to move large stones up such high distances. Filippo Brunelleschi created a design that included two domes an inner dome and an outer. The domes would have bands of wood, iron, and stone like a barrel to keep it from expanding out and collapsing. The pattern he used for bricklaying helped keep the bricks in place while they set. Brunelleschi didn’t use scaffolding. It would have required too much wood.

The Sumerians practiced polytheism, but each city had one benefactor god that they built a temple, generally a ziggurat, for in the middle of the city. The Egyptians may have imitated the architectural patterns of the ziggurats of Sumer when they built the pyramids.

They cut the stone and clay with saws lacking "teeth". The saws were often double sided so two people could saw at once. If the material was too hard they would drill holes into the stone or clay and cut it into seperate parts, Thats where the intellect comes in at. Also another material was used between bricks and stones and in concrete. It was called mortar. Mortar was a mixture of sand, lime and a powder gained by burning limestone plus water. Youve probably seen this inbetween brick used to build brick homes or buildings its often gray and flakey. "When mortar was used in construction underwater, a gravelly substance called pozzolana was added, which made the mortar become extremely hard when

In 2100 BCE, the ancient ziggurat was built. The ziggurat, at this time was dedicated to the moon god Nanna. Built by the King Ur, this was the first Ziggurat the sumerians ever created. In the 6th century BCE,

“The idea was to incorporate a building that could be easily be built and taken down both constructively and economically. Most ideas involved a long, one-story building made of brick. The problem was that it looked far too solid difficult to remove later and it might be even harder to light- not to mention that it probably could not be built in time. Further debates and redrafting delayed the project even further.” (1)

Because the Great Pyramid is the only remaining structure of the seven wonders of the ancient world, (xi) many people have debated over how it was constructed. Contemporary scientists and engineers believe that there was a primary group of four thousand workers who were the quarry workers, haulers and masons. They also believe that these primary workers were supported by twenty to twenty five thousand secondary workers who built ramps, made tools, mixed mortar, and provided the basic needs of the workers such as food and clothing. (xii) It has also been debated weather or not the work force was made up of