Ziggurat of Larsa
Ziggurat of Tell Senkerah · Ebabbara Ziggurat · Shamash Ziggurat
Old Babylonian / Isin-Larsa Period·Amorite Babylonian (Larsa)·🇮🇶 Dhi Qar Governorate, Tell Senkerah (Larsa), Iraq
About
About Ziggurat of Larsa
Ziggurat of the sun-god Shamash at Larsa (Tell Senkerah), dominant city of Larsa Kingdom under Nur-Adad and Rim-Sin I (1932–1763 BCE, Amorite dynasty). Massive oval enclosure 450 × 380 m with ziggurat 70 × 40 m base, 3 stages preserved to ~12 m (orig. ~20–25 m) built of mudbrick with baked brick facing. Ebabbara temple complex dedicated to Shamash. Captured by Hammurabi 1763 BCE ending Isin-Larsa period. Excavated by W. K. Loftus 1854 and André Parrot 1933–39. Tablet archives document Old Babylonian administration.
Why it mattersCapital of Isin-Larsa rival to Isin/Babylon; Ebabbara archives key to Old Babylonian chronology; prototype regional Shamash cult.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Original stage count — 3 or 4?
- 02Whether Larsa ziggurat rebuilt over Ur III core
Theories
- 01Amorite superstructure over Ur III foundation
- 02Hammurabi's conquest marks Babylon ascendancy
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 1950–1760 BCE (Larsa Kingdom, Nur-Adad–Rim-Sin I)
- Period
- Old Babylonian / Isin-Larsa Period
- Culture
- Amorite Babylonian (Larsa)
- Builders
- Larsa kings (Amorite dynasty)
- Purpose
- Temple-ziggurat to Shamash, city patron and kingdom capital
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 1950–1760 BCE (Larsa Kingdom, Nur-Adad–Rim-Sin I)
Initial construction
c. 1447 CE
Rediscovery
On the ground
Structures & features
31.2858° N · 45.8536° E · 15 m · 3 mapped features
Larsa ziggurat core
ziggurat70×40 m Shamash ziggurat
31.2860° N · 45.8537° EEbabbara enclosure
enclosure450×380 m oval city temple enclosure
31.2855° N · 45.8535° ERim-Sin palace archives
archiveTablet archive room at ziggurat base
31.2857° N · 45.8532° E