Architecture

 Monumental Architecture

Palaces

The Assyrians used mud bricks as their primary building material. The palace facades were often covered in white gypsum plaster that gleamed in the sunlight. Polychrome glazed bricks and wall paintings enhanced the architecture .Lamassu is a colossal stone sculpture depicting winged, human-headed bulls and lions guarded the entrance.

They created rivers made by humans to protect the palace. The kings didn't have guards to protect them because they were also the leaders of their military. No one guarded the palace because the thought is that the lamassu would protect the palace. Assyrian would use palaces as imposing complexes that served both as residences for kings and their families, and as the venues for official diplomatic and ceremonial functions.  (CT)

Ziggurats 

Ziggurats, you may think that ziggurats is just a place for worship but there is so much more than that! Yes, ziggurats are a place of worship, Ziggurats have about  three floors depending on the ziggurat, usually the first 2 floors are living space/storage for the presitis. And the third floor was usually locked up because this is where the worship begins! The usual worship starts out with a  ritual of choice. Now where does the first Ziggurats come from? Ziggurats are often associated with sumeraitains . The reason for this is because the Sumerians are believed to be the first civilization to build them,But the Assyrians,Babylonians and much more also have been seen with ziggurats.

The word   Ziggurats  comes from the Assyrian ziggurat meaning "height, pinnacle." Some people believe the top of each ziggurat was used as a shrine. Others believe it was a high place where priests could seek refuge during floods. If you ever have the change to ziggurat in real life you may say “ziggurats are so tall” well, the reason for this is a bit more than looks. The reason that ziggurats are so tall is because the priests thought that if their ziggurat was taller it would have a chance to reach up to the gods.  

You may think that ziggurats are just made of mud bricks. But there is so much more. Inside these mud bricks is joined  with mud and these tiny pieces of roof like shingles called bitumen. On top of all these things there are eternal pipes to keep water out. Because there are mud bricks in a course of around 100 years the mud bricks can start to slide out and disintegrate. (TB)

Hanging Gardens

If you were in ancient Mesopotamia you should visit the Hanging Gardens. It is a beautiful way to start a trip in Babylon. For we do not know if this is true or false we still stand to believe the Hanging Gardens is real. From paintings to stories to real evidence about it. Now let's learn some information about the Hanging Gardens.

The Hanging Gardens were approximately 75 to 80 feet high. That's the height of five giraffes! These green hanging vines get water by the work of a chain pump connected to two wheels. There was obviously a lot of work put into that, which is why we are still unsure of where it is. So here is what scientists have predicted. 

The Hanging Gardens was built by the one and only Nebuchadnezzar. People say that King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had the gardens built as a gift to his wife Semiramis. She is a Persian princess. He did this to ease her homesickness for the green forests of her homeland. This has become a real and known thing today. (HB)

Ishtar Gates

The Ishtar Gates were named after Mesopotamian goddess of love and war.  Also known as the gates that welcome you into the city of babylon. The ishtar gates are one of the eight gateways that provide entry to the inner city of babylon.  

The ishtar gates are special because the ishtar gates were built to show the power and wealth of the neo-babylonian empire. On the ishtar gates there are three very significant animals; the lion, the bull, and the mythological mušḫuššu-dragon. The ishtar gates are blue to represent lapis lazuli. The ishtar gates are 2,597 years old (c.575 BCE)  (EP)

Royal Tombs of Ur

In 1926 Leonard Woolley uncovered an estimate of 2000 tombs and 16 royal tombs. The royal tombs that were discovered were filled with precious stuff like gold, lapis lazuli and other valuables. Most of the tomb’s treasures were sadly stolen which is a shame. All of the royal tombs had cylinder seals and those cylinder seals helped us identify them. Back then they believed that the afterlife existed so they would use human sacrifices that wore copper armors to guard the kings or queens. Even the kings and queens had daggers to prepare themself for the afterlife. Another interesting artifact is the standard of Ur, it is 4,500 years old. The drawing on the artifact seems to be scenes of peace and war. This object is made out of wood, precious metal and other materials but we didn’t know what it was used for. All of these artifacts that I stated were used by archaeologists to learn more about their daily lives. (JT)

Homes

Mesopotamian City Homes

What were Mesopotamian city homes like? Mesopotamian city houses are very different then modern day houses.The rich people, primarily the priests and merchants lived in double storey dwellings, whereas the trader people and craftsmen had single story houses.The materials used by ancient Sumerians to build their houses were dried mud bricks. The houses had a central courtyard for natural light and air while providing the much needed security and protection from bad weather. Houses had shared walls like the townhouses. 

Homes of the rich were sometimes three stories and the doors led to a courtyard.The balcony was made in such a way that one could come down easily to the courtyard. Houses had shared walls like the townhouses.But natural resources were always the main ingredients for Mesopotamian homes. Most homeowners slept on beds, while some choose to sleep on mats placed on the floor. (JT)

Mesopotamian Outer City Homes

Mesopotamia outer city  houses were built from tall reeds placed on the ground in parallel rows where the tops were tied together and covered with matting. Even to this day, the marsh house is a common site in Mesopotamia. According to ancient lore, a God had screamed at a home owner and told him to bring down the reed house and live in a boat. Reed houses last for decades.

Social gatherings are held and political arrangements are inside these reed houses. It is a place for education too. Mesopotamian reed houses are very multi usable. (JT)