The Design Residues of Mesopotamian Ziggurat Architecture and Their Impact on the Structural Evolution of the Islamic Minaret in Iraq: A Comparative Archaeological and Architectural Study of Selected Models

Abstract

This research is titled (The Design Residues of Mesopotamian Ziggurat Architecture and Their Impact on the Structural Evolution of the Islamic Minaret in Iraq: A Comparative Archaeological and Architectural Study of Selected Models). The study highlights the history of construction in Mesopotamia as a reflection of a religious philosophy that perceives vertical elevation as a means of communication between Earth and Heaven. This vision was embodied in the "Ziggurat (Zaqāru)," meaning: the high structure or peak, serving as an "artificial mountain" to reach the realm of the gods.

With the rise of the Abbasid Caliphate and the shift of the political center to Baghdad, Islamic architecture was profoundly influenced by the local materials and architectural techniques of Mesopotamia. This interaction led to the transition of the symbolic and national role of the Ziggurat to the "Minaret"; thus, the minaret evolved from a simple functional purpose like the call to prayer into a prominent urban landmark and a symbol of the Caliphate's prestige and political identity.

The research conducts an archaeological analysis and architectural comparison between ancient Ziggurat examples, such as (Ur, Aqarquf, Nimrud), and unique Islamic minarets, such as (Samarra, Abu Dulaf, Suq al-Ghazl, the Choli Minaret). The central theme of this comparison involves investigating similarities in construction techniques, the materials used (particularly brick), and the spiral philosophy that was transmitted as a genetic civilizational heritage from the Ziggurats to the renowned minarets of Iraq.

This research adopted a theoretical analytical approach and a scientific comparison between (7) models of archaeological architecture. The analytical reading of this research is the product and result of reviewing multiple sources that dealt with different civilizations and religions that succeeded one another in a single geographical area within the borders of Mesopotamia.