Astronomical Orientation and Function of Mesopotamian Temples

The orientation of Mesopotamian cities, temples, etc. and their possible astronomical significance is a controversial topic dominated by many claims and very little evidence.

Some classical sources, such as Diodorus of Sicily (Library of History II 9.4). suggest that the ziggurats were used as observation platforms by Mesopotamian priest-astrologers but cuneiform sources do not give any indication from which edifices they made their observations.


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