In ancient Sumer, in the center of each town, was the Ziggurat. The Ziggurat was a temple. The ancient Sumerians believed that the gods lived in the sky. In order for the gods to hear better, you needed to get closer to them. Ziggurats were huge and built in steps, with a wide base, narrowing to a flat top.
The Ziggurat was the tallest building in the town. From its stop, you could see well into the farmlands that surrounded the city.
Religious ceremonies were held on top of the Ziggurat. Each day, people would leave offerings to the gods of food, cloth, and wine on the steps of the ziggurat. The priests would collect and use these gifts since they were the representatives of the gods on earth.