Shunet el-Zebib is made of hardened mudbricks. It consists of two rectangular surrounding walls, interlaced like a shoe box. The outer wall measures 137 × 77 m and is about 5 m thick and 12 m high. The inner wall measures 123 × 56 m and is about 3 m thick and 8 m high. The facade of the outer wall was niched, imitating a royal palace facade.