Anu Ziggurat and Eanna Precinct of Uruk
Uruk Ziggurat · Warka Ziggurat · Eanna and Anu Districts
Uruk Period (c. 4000–3100 BCE) → Jemdet Nasr → Early Dynastic; Anu ziggurat Late Uruk·Sumerian (Uruk)·🇮🇶 Muthanna Governorate, Al-Warka, Iraq
About
About Anu Ziggurat and Eanna Precinct of Uruk
Twin sacred precincts of world's first city Uruk (4000–3100 BCE): Anu District with White Temple ziggurat (21 m high limestone platform, U period) and Stone Cone Temple mosaic; Eanna District with Limestone Temple, cult of Inanna. 550 ha city, first writing (3200 BCE) and cylinder seals. Excavated by German team since 1912. UNESCO Ahwar 2016 component.
Why it mattersCradle of urbanism and writing; White Temple typifies high temple evolution to classic ziggurat.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Cone mosaic meaning – 180,000 cones in White Temple
Theories
- 01Colored cone decoration as apotropaic mountain shimmer; writing invented for Eanna temple accounts
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- White Temple c. 3500–3100 BCE on 21 m platform; Eanna temples 3500–3000 BCE
- Period
- Uruk Period (c. 4000–3100 BCE) → Jemdet Nasr → Early Dynastic; Anu ziggurat Late Uruk
- Culture
- Sumerian (Uruk)
- Purpose
- High temples of sky god An (Anu) and love/war goddess Inanna
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
White Temple c. 3500–3100 BCE on 21 m platform; Eanna temples 3500–3000 BCE
Initial construction
c. 1330 CE
Abandonment
On the ground
Structures & features
31.3242° N · 45.6372° E · 15 m · 3 mapped features
Anu Ziggurat / White Temple (21 m platform)
zigguratWhitewashed high temple on ziggurat
31.3208° N · 45.6366° EEanna Temple of Inanna – Cone Mosaic Temple
templeTemple with 180k painted clay cone decoration
31.3245° N · 45.6385° ECity wall of Uruk (Gilgamesh wall 9 km)
wall9 km wall attributed to Gilgamesh epic
31.3240° N · 45.6380° E