Pyramids, Research Paper Example

Introduction

Pyramids are the most notable historical features in Egypt. With their stunning designs and unique architectural features, pyramids depict different civilization that once ruled the Egyptians in different times of history. Today, pyramids are regarded as the most recognized historical monuments in the world. Although pyramids have been found in other parts of the world, the pyramids of Egypt attract a lot of attention to the point that they are recognized among the wonders of the world. Pyramids today are still regarded as the ancient survivors of the world wonders. The uniqueness of pyramids has attracted attention of historians and archeologists. As there is continued rediscovery of the pyramids in diverse parts of the world, the pyramids of Egypt still stun the world and continue to show the architectural prowess of different peoples in the world under different civilization.

Nature of Pyramids

Pyramids have unique architectural designs. They are structures that have triangular outer surface and converge at a given point (at the top) their bases are of different shapes ranging from quadrilateral, trilateral, and other polygon shapes. This therefore indicates that the pyramids are structures that have more have more than four surfaces with many having more than five surfaces. The shape of the pyramid is designed that the base is broader than the top. This was so to increase the stability of the structures. The base took a lot of the weight as the material that used in construction reduced as the structure increased in height. It is through their stability that they are the most ancient monuments still in existence today.

The different shapes and designs of the pyramids show the different civilization that ruled Egypt and other parts of the world in ancient times. The material used also depended on the economy of the different civilizations. During civilization when the economy was strong, heavy materials were used and lighter materials were used when the economy were weaker (Verner and Rendall 35).

Pyramids in the World

As already mentioned, there are pyramids in different parts of the world but the pyramids in Egypt have managed to attract the attention of the world. Pyramids have been found in Mesopotamia, Nubia, Greece, China, North America, India and Indonesia. The pyramids found in the different parts of the world depict the unique features of pyramids. The difference are on the materials used, the function that they are build for and the also the architectural designs or shapes. Of all the pyramids in the world, the pyramids of Egypt are the biggest. They are also the largest architectural structures in the world that existed for a long time.

Examples of the pyramids that have been found in different parts of the world are the ziggurats build in Mesopotamia. They are considered the earliest forms of pyramids to be built. Nubian pyramids build to around 300 AD are also other examples of pyramids. They had different designs from the pyramids of Egypt and they are characterized by their stiff height. They were built in honor of dead kings and queens who once ruled the Nubian people. Other examples of pyramids are the pyramids of Greece. Historians have found several structures in several parts of Greece that resemble the pyramids of Egypt. Although many of the structures discovered are said to resemble the pyramids of Egypt, till today the true shapes of the structures have not been known because their remains are not strong enough. A good example of pyramids found in Greece is the one found in Hellinikon. Perhaps the most unique feature of the pyramids in Greece is the function that they were built to serve. Most pyramids build in Greece served as graveyards for departed soldiers who died in different fights for ancient Greece. There controversies of the real age of the pyramids of Greece as some historians still believe that they are older than the pyramids of Egypt. However evidence still suggest that they are not older than the Egyptian but the materials that were used in building them were not as strong as the material used to build the Egyptian pyramids (Moffett ,  Fazio, and Wodehouse 24).

There are also pyramids that have been found in China. They are actually mausoleums for ancient kings that ruled China. Their architectural designs are not very similar to the pyramids of Egypt. Just like the pyramids of Greece, their real age is still controversial. Unlike the pyramids of Egypt, the pyramids of china have flat tops. Their architectural designs resemble those of the pyramids found in Mexico. The Mexican pyramids also known as step pyramids build by the people of Maya. Maya people also occupied the Honduras and El Salvador. The pyramids of Mexico were also built by the Aztecs people who occupy parts of Mexico. The pyramids of Mexico have the strongest bases, greater than those of the well known pyramids of Egypt. Their roles were also diverse depending on the type of people who built them. However there are common roles that the pyramids served in the Mexican context. They were built for the ceremonial purposes and also served as burial sites for very important individuals in the society (Moffett ,  Fazio, and Wodehouse 39).

There are also pyramids that have been found in parts of North America. They are commonly referred to as platform mounds. A good example of pyramid structure that has been found in North America is the Monk’s Mount found in Cahokia. Unlike other pyramids in other parts of the world, the real function for the building of the mounts in the North America is that they are not well defined. There are suggestions that indicate that they played a big role in the religious life of individuals in the world.  Their function is similar to the pyramids build in the medial period in Europe. In the medieval periods pyramids such as the tower of Oviedo in Spain, of the Gothic Cathedral of San Salvador have led to speculation of the buildings having relationship or connection to Masonic signs or other religious significance. Other pyramids that have religious significance are the pyramids of the giant granite pyramid temples that are found in the south India for example the Brihadisvara Temple found at Thanjavur which was named by UNESCO as a global heritage site in 1987(Moffett ,  Fazio, and Wodehouse 79).

Pyramids of Egypt

The pyramids of Egypt are the most known pyramids in the world today. They are masonry structures build in ancient Egypt. By 2008, there were more than 138 pyramid structures discovered in different parts of Egypt. Most of the pyramids were built to act as tombs for great leaders (pharaohs) and their families who ruled in different periods in Egypt. It is often said that the size of pyramid always depicted the strength of kingdom under the leadership of a pharaoh. One of the earliest pyramids that have been found in Egypt is the Pyramid of Djoser, estimated to have been built in the third dynasty and known to be the earliest form of pyramid to have ever been built in the world (Humphreys and Jenkins, 76).

The most known pyramids in Egypt are the pyramids of Giza which are located near the capital of Egypt (Cairo). The pyramid of Khufu is the largest of the pyramids of Giza and is still the ancient wonders of the world that still exists. Other places that pyramids are found in Egypt are places like Abu Rawash, Abusir, Saggara Dahshur and many more.

Conclusion

Pyramids are found in many places in the world. They depict architectural designs of many peoples in the world and also their civilizations. Pyramids served different functions which include tombs for leaders and worriers for example the pyramids of Egypt. Also they had religious significance for example the pyramids of Mexico. The pyramids of Egypt are the most known of all the pyramids in the world with the pyramids of the Gizza being recognized as the remaining ancient wonders of the world.

Work Cited

Humphreys, Andrews and Jenkins Siona. Egypt (7^th ed). New York: Lonely Planet, 2004.

Moffett Mirriam,  Fazio, Micheal W. and Wodehouse Lawrence. A world history of architecture. New York : McGraw-Hill Professional, 2004.

Verner Miroslav and  Rendall Steven. The Pyramids: The Mystery, Culture, and Science of Egypt’s Great Monuments. New York: Grove Press, 2002.