Most renditions of the Tower of Babel seem to consist of variations on a conical structure, with many layers of decreasing width and the distinct element of a contiguous ramp around the exterior rather than strictly delineated layering. It’s also generally covered with archways or doorways or some other similar flavor of opening along most of its surface. Despite having such a distinctly defined appearance, it originates in oral stories and religious texts lacking in imagery. Furthermore, though I can see the basic connection to tiered ziggurats as existed in Babylonian times, I’m not aware of any structures that match this sort of architecture at all.

So I’m curious, when and where exactly did this depiction originate, and how did it spread and evolve over time?