Uruk is one of the first cities in human history, measuring over 200 ha at the end of the 4th millennium B.C. The district of the Eanna gathered public monumental buildings, richly ornate with polychromatic mosaics. The district of the “ziggurat of Anu” housed a high-terraced temple called the White Temple because of its walls painted with lime. It follows a tripartite organization, with interior installations similar in nature to Eridu’s older constructions. Two stems, symbols of divinity, framed the main entrance of the temple. The edifice was at least 25 m tall.
- Position of the White Temple on the Uruk site, here seen from the North-East, in the district of “Anu’s ziggurat” (B). In A, we find the district of the Eanna (photo G. Gerster)
- The White Temple is the last of long series of constructions (D/E to C1) built atop the same high-terrace, designated Z-9 (infograhy C. Schuppert)
- Eastern view of the White Temple after its exposure (Deutsches Archäologisches Institut – Orient-Abteilung, Uruk-Archiv)
- Virtual reconstruction of the White Temple from the German Uruk archaeological mission (artefacts-berlin.de/scientific date Deutsches Archäologisches Institut)