The Great Ziggurat of Ur dedicated to the Moon god. Ziggurats were massive structure typical for Mesopotamia. Sumerians believed that the gods lived in the temple at the top of the ziggurats. Credit: Shutterstock A newly published study is reshaping how scientists understand the rise of urban civilization in ancient Mesopotamia. The research suggests that the emergence of Sumer, often called the cradle of civilization, was not solely the result of human ingenuity but also of powerful natural