: The core was composed of sun-dried mud bricks , while the exterior was faced with more durable baked bricks .

: A small temple or shrine was typically located at the very top, which served as the residence for the city's patron deity during their visits to earth.

The best-preserved example; dedicated to the moon god Nanna. Khūzestān, Iran

A UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest ziggurat in the world. Near Baghdad, Iraq

: Ziggurats were built to be "artificial mountains" that bridge the gap between earth and the heavens, allowing gods to descend and priests to ascend.