The audience of my transcription project is directed towards a documentary audience.

Because of this audience, my aim for the art direction is to push towards realism rather then a stylisation. The focus will be on the environment's intricacies, especially its Arabic ornamentation.

Books detailing Islamic architecture and pattern, direction and symbolism will be used as primary sources of inspiration. As well as sources for transcribing the Tower

The Courtyards and Gates

"The late G. Smith was once fortunate enough to have in his hands a Babylonian tablet in which the building was described, and this is probably the most trustworthy account of it in existence. Adopting his estimate of the metric system used, the 'grand court' of the temple measured 1156 ft by 900 ft. and the next, 'the court of Istar and Zagaga' 1056 ft by 450 ft, with six gates admitting to the temples." (pg690, Hastings)

The Kigalla

"Described as a space or platform, apparently walled, called, in Sumero-Akkadian, kigalla or zur, and in Semitic Babylonian kigallu or birutu- words apparently meaning an enclosed and levelled space. it was described as square, 2ku each way (1213 ft 6 in - each way, furnished with bronze gates). In accordance with Babylon custom, the angles indicated the cardinal points, and each side had an entrance." "Inside the enclosure, and at the time the tablet was written, stood some kind of erection 200ft square, connected with the tower, and having round its base the chapels or temples of the various gods, on all four sides, and facing the Cardinal points."

The Kigalla - North, East, South and West Sides

"On the East side was a building 70 or 80 cubits long and 40 broad, containing sixteen shrines, the chief ones being dedicated to Nebo and Tasmet, his consort. On the North were temples to Ea or Aa and Nusku, and on the S a single temple dedicated to Anu and Bel." "On the West side, however, that the principal buildings were to be found- a double house or temple with a court between two wings or differing dimensions. The building at the back was 125 cubits by 30. Mr Smith was able to make out with certainty the disposition of all the erections, but in the West chambers stood the couch of the god, and the throne of gold mentioned by Herodoctus, besides other furniture of great value."

Tower - Platform One and Two

"The main building was the ziggurat, or temple tower, square, and with its corners towards the cardinal points. The lowest stage was also the largest, being 300 ft square by 110 ft high. It had the usual recessed or panelled ornamentation of Babylonian architecture. The second stage was 260 ft square by 60 ft high. An obscure term was applied to it, which G Smith suggested might mean it had sloping sides; probably they were hollowed out. This change in form would break the monotony of the structure."

Tower - Platform Three, Four, Five, Six, and Seven

About the middle of the ascent (apparantly the fourth stage) was a stopping place, with seats to rest upon. On the topmost stage was a large cell, with a couch and a golden table, but no image, as the god himself was said to descend thither when he visited the woman chosen by him to pass the night there. The image of the god was in a cell below, with a table, probably for offerings, and an altar outside. Image, table, and altar are all said to have been of gold, and the last named was for sucklings only. An altar for full grown animals, and one for frankincense on the occasion of the god's festival, were also there"

Tower - Insides

"On the East side was a building 70 or 80 cubits long and 40 broad, containing sixteen shrines, the chief ones being dedicated to Nebo and Tasmet, his consort. On the North were temples to Ea or Aa and Nusku, and on the S a single temple dedicated to Anu and Bel." "On the West side, however, that the principal buildings were to be found- a double house or temple with a court between two wings or differing dimensions. The building at the back was 125 cubits by 30. Mr Smith was able to make out with certainty the disposition of all the erections, but in the West chambers stood the couch of the god, and the throne of gold mentioned by Herodoctus, besides other furniture of great value."

The Great Courtyard

Containing four entrances

With six separate temples on either side of the Courtyard

Courtyard of Ishtar and Zagaga

Situated in the Kigalla

Larger Temple

Surrounded by temples in the Kigalla

The Tower of Babylon

The Great Courtyard, Courtyard of Ishtar and Zagaga and The Kigalla

Full Model