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Image Credit: Jawad and Al-Ammari 2025
Ancient Clay Cylinders Reveal Royal Restoration of Kish Ziggurat
Two inscribed clay cylinders have provided the first direct foundation text documenting the restoration of the ziggurat of Kish during the Neo-Babylonian period. The artifacts, dating to the 6th century BC, record royal building works carried out under Nebuchadnezzar II, confirming long-suspected reconstructions of the monument.
The cylinders were recovered from Tell al-Uhaimir, the archaeological mound that preserves the remains of ancient Kish. Written in a style typical of Neo-Babylonian foundation documents, the inscriptions describe repairs to the ziggurat dedicated to the gods Zababa and Ishtar. Until now, knowledge of this restoration relied mainly on stamped bricks bearing the king’s name found during excavations.
According to the text, the ziggurat had suffered structural damage over time, with weakened walls and brickwork eroded by rain. The inscriptions state that the ruler undertook its repair and renewed its outward appearance, presenting the work as an act of devotion intended to honor the city’s deities and restore the sanctuary’s former splendor.
Archaeological evidence indicates that the ziggurat underwent several major construction and restoration phases across centuries, beginning in the Old Babylonian period and continuing into later eras. The newly identified cylinders provide the first explicit written record of the Neo-Babylonian restoration, adding an important historical source for understanding royal building activity and religious patronage in ancient Mesopotamia.
Published on: 06-01-2026
Edited by: Abdulmnam Samakie
Source: Phys.org