Mesopotamian Ziggurats

Mesopotamian Ziggurats were originally built as temples for the gods by the  Sumerians, Akkadians, Elamites, Eblaites and Babylonians. They are stepped buildings with the bases far wider than the actual temple on top. A set of wide stairs leads to the top of them and the temple proper. It has a steps at one side joining the main steps at one side running parallel to the side of the ziggurat.
Each of the cities such as Babylon has one, and the base part is the only parts still standing with the temple itself is in many cases lost or severely damaged. Mande primarily out of sandstone, the stones are easily replaceable. Seen by many Muslims & Zoroastrians as belonging to the old ways, they are generally avoided. This is part in due to the belief that evil spirits or gods still linger in & around them. The gods in the preceding civilisations were believed to inhabit them, and only the priest were allowed up to them.

Type

Temple / Religious complex