Hence, a bedchamber was provided for Nanna in the shrine on top of his ziggurat. The people of ancient Mesopotamia believed that their gods had needs just like their mortal subjects.

Therefore, a single small shrine was placed on the summit of the ziggurat for the god. Thus, the people of Ur believed that their ziggurat was the place on earth where Nanna chose to dwell. As the Mesopotamian gods were commonly linked to the eastern mountains, the ziggurat may have functioned as a representation of their homes. The Great Ziggurat of Ur was dedicated to the moon god Nanna, who was the patron deity of the city. What remains of the Ziggurat of Ur today. The Great Ziggurat of Ur was located in the temple complex of the city state, which was the administrative heart of Ur. The construction of the Great Ziggurat of Ur began under King Ur-Nammu of the Third Dynasty of Ur (about the 21 st century B.C.), and was completed by his son, King Shulgi. This outer layer protected the core from the elements. The Great Ziggurat of Ur consisted of successively smaller platforms that had a solid core of mud-brick which was covered by burnt brick. This height, however, is just speculation, as only the foundations of this ancient monument survive today. The Great Ziggurat, which is today located in the Dhi Qar Province, in the south of Iraq, is a massive step pyramid measuring 64 m in length, 46 m in width, and 30 m in height. One of best preserved and most spectacular remains of this ancient city is the Great Ziggurat of Ur. The city of Ur was one of the most important Sumerian city states in ancient Mesopotamia during the 3 rd millennium BC.

Ziggurat temple