One of the most ancient
buildings in the world, even older than most
pyramids. Built c. 2113-2096 BC. It is remarkably well preserved, especially when you consider that all other contemporary buildings in the region (
Mesopotamia) have been destroyed .
It stands in the middle of the
Iranian desert, among the remains of the antique city of
Ur, the first city in human
History (of which it was the largest building). You may see some pictures on http://www-lib.haifa.ac.il/www/art/ur.html (e.g. http://www-lib.haifa.ac.il/www/art/construction_brickwork.gif ). Quite an impressive
sight, indeed.
Its design is quite typical of Mesopotamian
ziggurats. The
Tower of Babel (
Marduk's temple in
Babylon) was probably very similar in shape (although much bigger in size).
Seeing that huge, red building in the middle of the desert, the last remain of what once was the largest city in the world, it is difficult not to think of
Shelley's poem :
My name is Ozymandias , King of kings
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair...