The ancient empire known for its ziggurats was the Sumerian civilization, which flourished in Mesopotamia around 4500 to 1900 BCE. Ziggurats were massive terraced structures that served as temples, connecting the heavens and the earth, and were central to Sumerian religious practices. These architectural marvels were made from mud bricks and often adorned with intricate carvings and statues. The most famous example is the Great Ziggurat of Ur. Ziggurats not only showcased the Sumerians’ advanced engineering skills but also reflected their polytheistic beliefs, with each ziggurat dedicated to a particular deity, thus playing a crucial role in their cultural and spiritual life.