Ancient Mesopotamian underworld
UNDERWORLD IN SUMERIAN CULTURE
Irkalla; Kur; Sumerian nether-world; Sumerian nether world; Sumerian netherworld; Kurnugia; KUR; KUR (cuneiform); Sumerian underworld; Kurnugi; Ersetu; Mesopotamian Underworld; Erset la tari; Domain of Ereshkigal; Ancient Mesopotamian Afterlife; Mesopotamian Afterlife; Babylonian Underworld; Assyrian Underworld; Mesopotamian Netherworld; Ancient Mesopotamian Netherworld; Ancient Mesopotamian Underworld; Kigal; Ganzir; Gansir; Kukku
The ancient Mesopotamian underworld, most often known in Sumerian as Kur, Irkalla, Kukku, Arali, or Kigal and in Akkadian as Erṣetu, although it had many names in both languages, was a dark, dreary cavern located deep below the ground, where inhabitants were believed to continue "a shadowy version of life on earth". The only food or drink was dry dust, but family members of the deceased would pour libations for them to drink.