Which primary mechanism countered hydrostatic pressure against ancient Mesopotamian ziggurat foundations built in marshy terrain?

💡 Explanation

When built on marshy ground, ziggurats faced hydrostatic pressure from groundwater; gravel-filled drainage trenches served as a preferential flow path offering lower hydraulic resistance. Therefore gravel-filled trenches were used, rather than capillary action, lime waterproofing which degrades quickly, or external buttressing which would cause increased stress at the boundary.

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