The White Temple and the Great Ziggurat in the Mesopotamian City of Uruk

The Egyptian pyramids are not the only ancient mystery of the old world; the ziggurat also sustains a substantial position of wonder. The ancient land of Uruk was once located in southern Mesopotamia, on the Euphrates river, which corresponds to our present day Warka, in Iraq. It was founded by a king named Enmerkar around 4500 BC, and it was the home of the epic hero king Gilgamesh.

By 3200 BC, Uruk was one the largest cities in the world during its time, with an estimated population of over 40,000 people. Along with a developed agriculture system, the city thrived, and is considered to be the first true city in the world.

Uruk cultural expansion c. 3600-3200 BC (CC BY-SA 3.0)

The City of Uruk

The city was continuously inhabited until around 300 AD, when its citizens started to leave due to both natural and man-made influences. Uruk was left abandoned until William Loftus, working for the British Museum, began excavating and unveiling the ancient city.