Ziggurat Terrace | ZT
| Context Title: | Ziggurat Terrace | ZT |
| Context Name (Publication): | Ziggurat Terrace |
| Context Name (Excavation): | ZT |
| Context Description: | The excavation area abbreviation ZT stands for Ziggurat Terrace. It was used for any portion of the terrace on which the ziggurat stood, though other more specific abbreviations were also used. For example, the abbreviation PDW refers to the northern side of the terrace, west of the Great Nannar Courtyard (PD), and HD refers to the southern part of the terrace. Early references using the abbreviation ZT refer specifically to excavations along the terrace retaining wall itself. Later references, however, mention specific areas on top the terrace such as the so-called 'boat shrine.' The abbreviation also refers to deep clearing of the terrace fill, particularly on the north side in later excavation seasons, though the abbreviation Zig.31 was most often used for this. Woolley uncovered large areas of the retaining wall that supported the platform known as the ziggurat terrace. He found that it was decorated with large wall cones. These cones bore an inscription of Urnamma but there is evidence that the terrace in some form existed in the Early Dynastic period as well. The Urnamma retaining wall was slanted to support the terrace, was 1.7 meters high, 34 meters wide, and was decorated with 5-meter-wide buttresses about 4 meters apart. The inscribed cones dedicate the terrace to the moon god, Nanna, and show that it was called e-temen-ni-gur, which translates as, "house, foundation platform clad in terror." (Woolley read this e-temen-ni-il). |
| Season Number: | 02: 1923-1924 |
| Season Number: | 03: 1924-1925 |
| Season Number: | 05: 1926-1927 |
| Season Number: | 10: 1931-1932 |
| Season Number: | 11: 1932-1933 |
Files
| Object | U Number | Museum Number (UPM Date Reg Number) | Museum Number (BM Registration Number) | Museum Number (UPM B-number) | Description (Catalog Card) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 18585D | (none) | (none) | (none) | [A-I] A set of weights. Weights in grains [A] (1) Diorite, pierced at one end. 413 grs. [B] (2) Hematite . 130grs. [C] (3) Hematite 64grs. [D] (4) Hematite 65grs. [E] (5) Steatite 37grs. [F] (6) Steatite 7grs. [G] (7) Steatite 10grs. [H] (8) Hematite 78grs. [I] (9) Doubtful weight: white calcite shaped as a plano-convex brick 315grs. [CARD MISSING Typed Transcription from British Museum Card] |
| 18585E | 33-35-127 | (none) | (none) | [A-I] A set of weights. Weights in grains [A] (1) Diorite, pierced at one end. 413 grs. [B] (2) Hematite . 130grs. [C] (3) Hematite 64grs. [D] (4) Hematite 65grs. [E] (5) Steatite 37grs. [F] (6) Steatite 7grs. [G] (7) Steatite 10grs. [H] (8) Hematite 78grs. [I] (9) Doubtful weight: white calcite shaped as a plano-convex brick 315grs. [CARD MISSING Typed Transcription from British Museum Card] |
| 18585F | (none) | (none) | (none) | [A-I] A set of weights. Weights in grains [A] (1) Diorite, pierced at one end. 413 grs. [B] (2) Hematite . 130grs. [C] (3) Hematite 64grs. [D] (4) Hematite 65grs. [E] (5) Steatite 37grs. [F] (6) Steatite 7grs. [G] (7) Steatite 10grs. [H] (8) Hematite 78grs. [I] (9) Doubtful weight: white calcite shaped as a plano-convex brick 315grs. [CARD MISSING Typed Transcription from British Museum Card] |
| 18585G | (none) | (none) | (none) | [A-I] A set of weights. Weights in grains [A] (1) Diorite, pierced at one end. 413 grs. [B] (2) Hematite . 130grs. [C] (3) Hematite 64grs. [D] (4) Hematite 65grs. [E] (5) Steatite 37grs. [F] (6) Steatite 7grs. [G] (7) Steatite 10grs. [H] (8) Hematite 78grs. [I] (9) Doubtful weight: white calcite shaped as a plano-convex brick 315grs. [CARD MISSING Typed Transcription from British Museum Card] |
| 18585H | (none) | (none) | (none) | [A-I] A set of weights. Weights in grains [A] (1) Diorite, pierced at one end. 413 grs. [B] (2) Hematite . 130grs. [C] (3) Hematite 64grs. [D] (4) Hematite 65grs. [E] (5) Steatite 37grs. [F] (6) Steatite 7grs. [G] (7) Steatite 10grs. [H] (8) Hematite 78grs. [I] (9) Doubtful weight: white calcite shaped as a plano-convex brick 315grs. [CARD MISSING Typed Transcription from British Museum Card] |
| 18585I | 33-35-128 | (none) | (none) | [A-I] A set of weights. Weights in grains [A] (1) Diorite, pierced at one end. 413 grs. [B] (2) Hematite . 130grs. [C] (3) Hematite 64grs. [D] (4) Hematite 65grs. [E] (5) Steatite 37grs. [F] (6) Steatite 7grs. [G] (7) Steatite 10grs. [H] (8) Hematite 78grs [I] (9) Doubtful weight: white calcite shaped as a plano-convex brick 315grs. | |
| 1584B | (none) | (none) | B15755 | [A and B] Bronze models (?) In shape of canoes. 2 adhering, one inside the other, and fragment of others. [drawing 1:1] | |
| 3297D | (none) | (none) | B16556A | Sinbalalsuiqbi 1/2 brick 2 stamps, side and face. Same text as U. 3250. Variant U. 6-7: E-ashur "The place of his royalty." | |
| 3299C | (none) | (none) | B16558 | Brick of Sin balalsu iqbi 2 stamps: face and side. Same text as U.3250. Except var. 11.6-7: "E As-an-bur, the shrine of Enlil." |
| 1625B | (none) | (none) | B15620, B15620, B15620 | Three (3) fragments of a black diorite monument, originally in shape of 4-sided pyramid, surmounted by a smaller body of the same shape. Around all sides of the lower pyramid runs a long inscription of New Babylonian date, concerning contracts for the building of a bit apti and the acquisition of the site for it, in the city of Ur. Found on New Babylonian floor level in N. corner between Nabonidus platform and the old wall. |
| 1625C | (none) | (none) | B15620, B15620, B15620 | Three (3) fragments of a black diorite monument, originally in shape of 4-sided pyramid, surmounted by a smaller body of the same shape. Around all sides of the lower pyramid runs a long inscription of New Babylonian date, concerning contracts for the building of a bit apti and the acquisition of the site for it, in the city of Ur. Found on New Babylonian floor level in N. corner between Nabonidus platform and the old wall. |
| 2761B | (none) | (none) | B16676 | Ur-Nammu Stela. Stone stele fragments. Fine limestone: six fragments, [following text is struck through] giving horizontal division of stele. Upper two bear lower part of skirt & two finely modelled feet & conventional river of Ea, seated on throne. Lower register divine headdress, spear (?) & tree. Whole of fine workmanship. Upper register fragg. A. & C.: lower B. [end strike-through] For details see following page. In text: Ur-Nammu Stela and Kassite period 4. (A) Division between registers, one foot of top register figure and top of tree in lower register. (B) do. With part of throne top register & god's headdress in lower. (C) 2nd foot & part of skirt & throne of top register fig. (D) part of throne top register. (E) Lower part of headdress of god (2nd reg.) & hair. (F) Rest of god from 2nd reg. seated on throne before conventional tree in pot into which king is pouring libation (this connects with U.3264A) 3rd reg. upper parts of 3 figg: minor deity introducing king who bears mason's tools supported behind by priest or slave. | |
| 8840F | (none) | (none) | (none) | Tablet. In a box, not marked, and not fully examined, the following leftover unbaked, at end of season. (A)[A and H] 2 considerable fragments. (B)[B and I-L] 5 small tablets. (C) seal impression (interesting). (D) Contract with many fragments of its envelope, with seal impressions. also baked. (E) Fragment containing some proper names. (F) Half a business note also. (G) corner of archaic tablet. |
| 17625F | (none) | (none) | (none) | Inlay. Shell: [A-F] Six fragments of white shell cut in strips 38mm wide and decorated with 3 horizontal rows of 'mountain' design: the top and bottom rows are merely outlined with a double incised line which was filled in with black: the middle row is champleve and filled in with bright red paste of which a good deal is preserved. [drawing] |
| 17680B | (none) | (none) | (none) | [A-B] 2 obsidian ear studs. [drawing 1:1] |
| 17755B | (none) | (none) | (none) | [A-B] Ear studs. [drawing 1:1] |
| 17756B | (none) | (none) | (none) | [A-B] Ear studs. Clay. [drawing 1:1] |
| 17892B | (none) | (none) | (none) | Cone fragment. Unidentified. Mentions religion - their god. |
| 17945B | 32-40-154 | (none) | (none) | Miniature copper objects. Crescent moons; bellums; staves. In catalog. [drawing 1:1] |
| 18313B | (none) | (none) | (none) | Inlay. Fragments of grey steatite. Hair of head or beard from a large figure. [drawing] [A] One large piece thus [reference to drawing]. [B] One fragment from the upper part perhaps fitting on, [C] and one single curl |
| 18313C | (none) | (none) | (none) | Inlay. Fragments of grey steatite. Hair of head or beard from a large figure. [drawing] [A] One large piece thus [reference to drawing]. [B] One fragment from the upper part perhaps fitting on, [C] and one single curl |
| 18553B | 33-35-482 | (none) | (none) | [A-L] Seal impressions on fragments of clay jar stopper. 12 in all. 1st dynasty types with human figures and animals. |
| 18553C | 33-35-483 | (none) | (none) | [A-L] Seal impressions on fragments of clay jar stopper. 12 in all. 1st dynasty types with human figures and animals. |
| 18553D | 33-35-484 | (none) | (none) | [A-L] Seal impressions on fragments of clay jar stopper. 12 in all. 1st dynasty types with human figures and animals. |
| 18553E | 33-35-485 | (none) | (none) | [A-L] Seal impressions on fragments of clay jar stopper. 12 in all. 1st dynasty types with human figures and animals. |
| Media | Media Title | Title | Label | Author | Omeka Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UPM Field Photo numbers | UPM Field Photo numbers | (none) | (none) | (none) |
| Ur Excavations V: The Ziggurat and its Surroundings | Ur Excavations V: The Ziggurat and its Surroundings | 1939 | Woolley Leonard | (none) |
| Ur Excavations IV; The Early Periods | Ur Excavations IV; The Early Periods | 1955 | Woolley, L. | (none) |
| Woolley's Field Note Cards | Woolley's Field Note Cards | Ur_Notes_v2_p160 | Ur_Notes_v2_p160 | (none) | |
| Woolley's Field Note Cards | Woolley's Field Note Cards | Ur_Notes_v2_p211 | Ur_Notes_v2_p211 | (none) | |
| Woolley's Field Note Cards | Woolley's Field Note Cards | Ur_Notes_v2_p212 | Ur_Notes_v2_p212 | (none) | |
| Woolley's Field Note Cards | Woolley's Field Note Cards | Ur_Notes_v2_p213 | Ur_Notes_v2_p213 | (none) | |
| Woolley's Field Note Cards | Woolley's Field Note Cards | Ur_Notes_v2_p214 | Ur_Notes_v2_p214 | (none) | |
| Woolley's Field Note Cards | Woolley's Field Note Cards | Ur_Notes_v2_p215 | Ur_Notes_v2_p215 | (none) | |
| Woolley's Field Note Cards | Woolley's Field Note Cards | Ur_Notes_v2_p219 | Ur_Notes_v2_p219 | (none) | |
| Woolley's Field Note Cards | Woolley's Field Note Cards | Ur_Notes_v4_p121 | Ur_Notes_v4_p121 | (none) | |
| Woolley's Field Note Cards | Woolley's Field Note Cards | Ur_Notes_v4_p218 | Ur_Notes_v4_p218 | (none) | |
| Field Photographs | Field Photographs | GN0097 | GN0097 | (none) | |
| Field Photographs | Field Photographs | GN0098 | GN0098 | (none) | |
| Field Photographs | Field Photographs | GN0099 | GN0099 | (none) |
- 15 Media
Sibling Locations
AH Site | AH - City Wall | CLW - DP - Dublalmah | LL - EH Site | EH - Ehursag | HT - EM Site | EM - Enunmah | TTB | ES - ESB - FH - Giparu | KP - Great Nanna Courtyard | PD - Harbor Temple - House 34/1 - House 34/2 - House Site - Kassite Fort - KPS Site | KPS - LT - LW - Mausoleum Site | BC - Neo-Babylonian Housing | NH - NNCF - NTB - P/103 - Palace of Bel-Shalti-Nannar | AD - Pit F - Royal Cemetery | PG - SM - Temenos Wall | TW - TTC - XNCF
Child Locations
Courtyard BB - Ningal Temple | HD - PDW - Room FF - Room GG - Room SW 2 - Ziggurat
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Context
Ur > Ziggurat Terrace | ZT
References
Woolley, L. . (1955) Ur Excavations IV; The Early Periods, Oxford: Oxford University Press.