Temple of Enlil, the Sumerian god of sky. E-kur is Sumerian for 'Mountain House'. In Nippur, located at the northern edge of Sumer.
Temples were built for the gods. They contained altars for animal sacrifices, and had a full temple staff of priests and other associated personnel. Temples were an economic entity, they owned land, livestock, recieved funding from the king, and employed workers.