The White Temple of Uruk

The White Temple of Uruk is an ancient Sumerian religious structure built around 3500 BCE in southern Mesopotamia. It served as a sacred site dedicated to the sky god Anu. Constructed from mud bricks and covered with whitewashed plaster, the temple was elevated on a platform to symbolize a connection between heaven and earth. It featured stairs, courtyards, and a shrine where priests conducted religious rituals. The White Temple exemplifies early urban religious architecture and reflects the central role of religion in Sumerian city-states. Its design influenced later Mesopotamian temples and provides insight into ancient Sumerian beliefs and civic life.