Magnetic field measurements indicate that the Ishtar Gate in Babylon, originally believed to commemorate the conquest of Jerusalem, may have a different purpose. Researchers analyzed clay bricks to determine their construction date.
Babylon's Ishtar Gate: Materials and Construction
The Ishtar Gate, whose name is derived from the Babylonian goddess Ishtar, was commissioned by Nebuchadnezzar II during his rule from 605 to 562 B.C. The iconic glazed-brick structure was constructed in three phases, serving as the grand entrance to the ancient city of Babylon in southern Mesopotamia.
Featuring alternating rows of dragons and bulls, the front of the gate showcases glazed bricks in yellow and brown tiles surrounded by blue bricks, believed to be made of lapis lazuli, although there is some debate on this matter.
Rising over 38 feet (11.5 m) high, the gate includes a vast antechamber on its southern side. Connected to the gatehouse is the Processional Way, a brick-paved corridor adorned with over 120 sculptural lions, flowers, and yellow enameled tiles on walls exceeding 50 feet in height.
This ceremonial pathway, stretching over half a mile, was used for the New Year's celebration, featuring statues of deities parading down and a path paved with red and yellow stones, each bearing a small prayer from Nebuchadnezzar to the chief god Marduk, leading to the temple of Marduk.
The Ishtar Gate's magnificence earned it a place on the initial list of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, although it was later replaced by the Lighthouse of Alexandria. Nonetheless, some authors argued that the "Gates of Ishtar" and the "Walls of Babylon" should still be considered wonders.
Uncertainty in Ishtar Gate's Construction Timeline
In the new study, titled "An archaeomagnetic study of the Ishtar Gate, Babylon" published in the journal PLOS One, researchers revealed that there is uncertainty about the timeline of the Ishtar Gate's construction phases following Nebuchadnezzar II's initial order, prompting queries about potential gaps or the king's demise before completion.
To address the uncertainties, archaeologists gathered small samples from five fired mud bricks of the Ishtar Gate, now housed at the Pergamon Museum in Berlin, representing the three phases. Utilizing archaeomagnetism, which measures the preserved geomagnetic fields in archaeological objects, the researchers aimed to offer a more precise timeframe than radiocarbon dating.
The analysis determined that there were no substantial chronological gaps between construction phases and that the gate complex was likely built around 583 B.C., following the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. The magnetic field measurements in the bricks were consistent, suggesting a unified construction period during Nebuchadnezzar II's reign and confirming the king's presence at the gate's completion.
This finding challenges the notion that the Ishtar Gate's style evolved during construction phases, emphasizing that phases II and III are integral to the original design. The researchers plan to extend similar archaeomagnetic analyses to other ancient Mesopotamian structures, utilizing fired mud bricks as reliable sources for this technique due to their prevalence during that era.
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