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The Ziggurat Akar Kuf (Aqar Quf)
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The Ziggurat Akar Kuf (Aqar Quf)
The Ziggurat Akar Kuf (Aqar Quf, formerly Dur-Kurigalzu), situated near Baghdad and originates from the Kassite Dynasty. The layers of masonry consist alternately of clay bricks and hemp or raffia. The ziggurat is approximately 40 meters high. Often confused with the Tower of Babel by Western visitors in the area from the 17th century onwards. Date: circa 1910s
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Media ID 14247269
© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection
Apr17 Babel Babylon Baghdad Dynasty Iraq Iraqi Layers Ziggurat Kassite
EDITORS COMMENTS
This photograph showcases the ancient Ziggurat of Akar Kuf, also known as Dur-Kurigalzu, located near the modern-day city of Baghdad in Iraq. The Ziggurat, originating from the Kassite Dynasty, dates back to the 14th or 15th century BCE. The architectural marvel stands approximately 40 meters high and is a testament to the ingenuity and architectural prowess of ancient civilizations. The unique structure of the Ziggurat is characterized by its alternating layers of clay bricks and hemp or raffia. The use of hemp or raffia, a plant material, was a common practice in ancient Mesopotamian construction to bind the bricks together and provide additional strength to the structure. Despite its impressive history and significance, the Ziggurat of Akar Kuf is often mistaken for the Biblical Tower of Babel by Western visitors to the area since the 17th century. However, the two structures are distinctly different, with the Tower of Babel being a mythological construct from the Bible, while the Ziggurat of Akar Kuf is a real archaeological site. The photograph, taken in the 1910s, offers a glimpse into the past, transporting us back in time to a period when ancient civilizations thrived in the fertile lands of Mesopotamia. The Ziggurat of Akar Kuf stands as a reminder of the rich cultural heritage and history that Iraq and the wider Middle East have to offer.
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