Egypt may have the Pyramids of Giza, but Iraq has the Ziggurat of Ur – an incredibly well-preserved engineering achievement that towers over the ruins of an important ancient city.

Construction of the Great Ziggurat of Ur began around 2050 BCE and was completed by 1980 BCE, standing approximately 30 meters high with a base measuring 64 by 45 meters.

The scribes observed the stars from the roofs of the Ziggurat and knew some planets and stars such as Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Venus, Mercury, the Sun and the Moon.

The sacred ziggurat of Etemenanki was transformed into the Tower of Babel. Babylon was where Daniel was thrust into the lion's den, and Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego into Fiery Furnace.

The most notable of these was the great ziggurat of Etemenanki, which climbed 70 metres above the city. Built by a captive labour force of Jewish craftsmen and workers, the ziggurat was ...

Egypt may have the Pyramids of Giza, but Iraq has the Ziggurat of Ur – an incredibly well-preserved engineering achievement that towers over the ruins of an important ancient city.