Ziggurats were massive structures built in ancient Mesopotamia, primarily serving as religious temples. While they were significant architectural achievements, it’s a common misconception that people lived in them like a home.
In reality, ziggurats were designed mainly as places of worship and to honor the gods. The uppermost level typically housed a shrine or altar, where priests would conduct rituals and offer sacrifices. This means that while priests and temple officials might spend significant time in ziggurats performing their religious duties, the general population did not live there.
People lived in the surrounding cities, which were usually located at the base of the ziggurat. These cities contained homes, marketplaces, and other essential structures for daily life. The ziggurat stood as a focal point in these urban centers, visually representing the connection between the earth and the heavens, but it was not intended for general residence.
In summary, ziggurats were integral to the religious life of ancient Mesopotamians, but they were not residential buildings where people lived on a regular basis.