Final answer:
Ziggurats were the dwelling places of the priests in ancient Mesopotamia, not places of public worship.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ziggurats were not places of public worship, but rather the dwelling places of the priests in ancient Mesopotamia. Each city set up a ziggurat to attract its chosen god or goddess to take up residence in the city, in order to protect the city and bring it prosperity. These massive structures were also used as banks and workshops, with the priests overseeing the exchange of wealth and the production of crafts.