Ancient pyramids of Egypt: history, description and secrets. ancient pyramid technology

The world still has a large number of really impressive ancient pyramids, as well as several new structures built on the same principle. It is possible to determine the greatness of each of the pyramids by a mass of criteria, the simplest of which are measuring the height and total volume of the entire area. In this rating, we will tell you which is the largest pyramid in the world, and also tell you about its closest competitors.

Top 8 largest pyramids in the world

8. La Danta (El Mirador)

From the sixth century BC to the first century AD, El Mirador was considered the most important city of the Mayan tribes. The population of the city exceeded 9 thousand people. Already at the end of the 9th century AD, for completely mysterious reasons, the city was wiped off the face of the earth along with its inhabitants. Due to its remote location deep in the jungles of Guatemala, the ruins of the city of El Mirador were not discovered until 1926.

Among the impenetrable thickets, scientists managed to find stone structure outwardly resembling from afar a large grassy hill, but in fact this is one of the most ancient and high pyramids Maya - La Danta, which was the most tall building city ​​of El Mirador. La Danta is a complex building with three pyramids on top of a stone hill. The height of the highest of the three pyramids is 21 meters. The total volume of the pyramid is 0.9 million cubic meters.

7. Teotihuacan or Pyramid of the Sun

One of the highest and large pyramids V South America is a pyramid ancient city Teotihuacan or Pyramid of the Sun. The name of the city and the pyramid was given by the Aztecs, who settled in the abandoned territories of South America several centuries later. The volume of the pyramid is 1.2 million cubic meters.

6. Hotel Luxor in the form of a pyramid


One of the very first superstructures built in Las Vegas is the Luxor Hotel, built in the shape of a pyramid. Unusual hotel was built back in 1993. The pyramid, 183 meters long and 11 meters high, has 2526 rooms, many restaurants, nightclubs, a casino, a conference room. The total volume of the pyramid hotel is 1.228 million cubic meters.

5. Bent pyramid

The second pyramid that was built during the reign of Pharaoh Sneferu is the Bent Pyramid, which is located in Egyptian city Dahshur. The base or the so-called foundation of the pyramid rises to half of the pyramid at an angle of 55 degrees, after which the elevation abruptly breaks off and changes its angle of inclination to 43 degrees. Scientists put forward many hypotheses for such an unusual decision and design of the pyramid, but none of them is one hundred percent confirmed. The total volume of the Bent Pyramid is 1.237 million cubic meters.

4. pink pyramid


Another pyramid that was built during the reign of Pharaoh Sneferu. This pyramid is known throughout the world as the first pyramid with the most proportional dimensions of e sides. At the very base, the dimensions of the pyramid are ideal 220 by 220 meters with a height of 104 meters. Before the appearance of the pyramids at Giza, the Pink Pyramid was considered the most great pyramid in the world. The total volume is 1.69 million cubic meters.

3. The majestic pyramid of Cholula

This unusual pyramid, located in Mexico, is more like a hill created by artificial means. At the top of a stone hill, as if on a great pedestal, is the Catalan Church. According to the Guinness Book of Records, the Cholula pyramid is the largest in the world in terms of the total volume of its entire area, which is 4.45 million cubic meters. But relatively recently, scientists after lengthy excavations came to the conclusion that the pyramid is not a single complex, but simply consists of several interconnected buildings. But even with such calculations, the Cholula pyramid was among the three largest pyramids on earth.

2. Pyramid of Khafre


The tallest pyramid in Giza is the Pyramid of Khafre. Due to the elevation on which the pyramid is located, it seems to be much higher than the Great Pyramid, but in terms of total size it is many times inferior to it. The length of the base of the pyramid is 215 meters at a height of 14365 meters. The pyramid even managed to keep a layer of facing stone. The total volume of Khafre's pyramid is 2.2 million cubic meters.

1. Pyramid of Cheops


The only surviving Wonder of the World in the world is the largest pyramid in the world - the Great Pyramid of Cheops. The construction of the pyramid was completed in 2560 BC. According to approximate estimates, the construction of the pyramid took about 20 years, during which more than 2 million huge stone blocks were used in its construction. The height of the pyramid is 139 meters with a length at the base of 230 meters. The total volume of the Cheops pyramid is 2.58 million cubic meters.

There are a very large number of really huge pyramids, both modern and ancient. You can determine the largest of them by a variety of parameters, the simplest of which will simply measure the height. However, a more accurate way is to compare pyramids by volume using the standard volume formula. True, there are also a number of inaccuracies here, many pyramids are partially destroyed, and some are still far from being completely excavated. Nevertheless, I present to you a list of the 8 largest pyramids in the world.

8. La Danta in El Mirador

(0.9 million cubic meters)

El Mirador was one of major cities Maya from the 6th century BC to the 1st century AD. The peak population here exceeded 8,000 people. For unknown reasons, the city was abandoned at the end of the 9th century AD. Its ruins were discovered in 1926, but they did not become very popular due to their location deep in the jungle in northern Guatemala. Today, everything is overgrown with jungle, and the largest building here, the La Dante complex, is more like a big green hill.


The La Danta complex consists of several platforms, on the highest of which there are three pyramids, one of which reaches 21 meters in height.

7. Pyramid of the Sun Teotihuacan

(1.2 million cubic meters)

The Pyramid of the Sun is the most big building the ancient city of Teotihuacan and one of the largest pyramids in South America. The name comes from the Aztecs, who settled here several centuries after the city was abandoned.


6. Hotel Luxor

(1.228 million cubic meters)

The Luxor Hotel was one of the first mega-structures to appear in Las Vegas in the 1990s. In 1993, Luxor was opened after 18 months of construction. Inside there are 2526 guest rooms, a giant casino, a showroom, restaurants and a disco club on the second floor. with a length of 183 meters and a height of 110 meters, Luxor is significantly inferior to the Pyramid of Cheops in Giza, on the model of which it was built


5. Bent Pyramid in Egypt

(1.237 million cubic meters)

3. Great Pyramid of Cholula

(1.8 million cubic meters)

The pyramid of Cholula in Mexico looks like a no longer natural hill, on top of which a Catholic church is built. According to the Guinness Book of Records, this temple is actually the largest pyramid in the world. Its total volume was estimated at 4.45 million cubic meters.


However, in the course of subsequent excavations and research, scientists came to the conclusion that the complex consists of several structures built on top of each other at different periods of time, and the base of the pyramid itself is much smaller in volume. However, even with such calculations, it ranks third in the list of the largest pyramids in the world.

2. Pyramid of Khafre in Egypt

(2.2 million cubic meters)

The Pyramid of Khafre is the second largest pyramid on the Giza plateau. Although it appears to be taller than the Great Pyramid due to its elevation, it is smaller in size. Its base is 215 meters long and 14365 meters high. Also distinctive feature is a locally preserved layer of facing stone

1. Pyramid of Cheops

(2.58 million cubic meters)

The Great Pyramid of Cheops is the largest pyramid in the world, as well as the only remaining miracle in the list of 7 ancient wonders of the world. Its construction was completed in 2560 BC, 2 million huge stone blocks were used within 20 years. The height of the pyramid is 139 meters, and the length at the base is 230 meters.

Modern and ancient pyramids come in a variety of shapes and sizes. To determine, which of the pyramids is the largest pyramid, probably, it would be correct to compare their heights. For example, the Transamerica Pyramid, at 260 meters (85 feet), would certainly be a serious candidate for the list of the largest pyramids.

Many large pyramids, however, have a very large base (base), but not very great height. But that doesn't make them smaller. The best indicator for comparison is therefore probably the volume of the pyramid. The volume of a pyramid can be calculated using the following formula:

Base length * Base width * Height * 1/3.

For example, for the Transamerica Pyramid, this is 54 x 54 x 260 x 1/3 = 252,720 m³, and this is not enough to be included in our list of the largest pyramids.

Many people think that using this formula is not too difficult to determine the largest pyramids in the world. Unfortunately, it's not that easy. Many pyramids are not very regular pyramids, they do not have smooth sides, many of them are step pyramids. Another concern is that some of the largest pyramids on Earth have yet to be fully excavated.

8. La Danta, El Mirador (0.9 million m³)

The El Mirador complex is located in the north of the Guatemalan department of Petén, near the Guatemalan-Mexico border, 13 km northwest of Nakbe. El Mirador was the main city of the Mayan Empire, which flourished from around the 6th century BC. and until the 1st century AD, reaching a peak population of over 8,000 inhabitants by the 3rd century BC. was completely abandoned.
The ruins were discovered in 1926, but little attention was paid to excavations due to the remoteness of the site, deep in the jungles of northern Guatemala. Today the place is still largely covered tropical jungle and the two largest structures in the El Mirador complex: " El Tiger" And " La Danta are two large hills.

The La Danta complex consists of several platforms. The lowest platform is a structure 310 x 590 meters (1017 x 1936 feet), 7 meters (23 feet) high and contains a number of buildings. The next platform measures about 190 x 240 meters (623 x 787 feet) and rises another 7 meters. Above this is another platform about 21 meters high (69 feet), which crowns a complex of three pyramids, the tallest of which is 21 meters. La Danta (70 meters or 230 feet) is somewhat taller than El Tigre (about 55 meters or 180 feet), although La Danta includes a low natural hill.

According to some sources, the La Danta complex has a total volume of 2,800,000 cubic meters, making it one of the largest structures in the world. The question, however, is how accurate this calculation is, and whether the entire complex can be considered one pyramid. It can be argued that part of the lower platform should be excluded from the calculation, since it supports several buildings.

7. Pyramid of the Sun - Pyramid of the Sun (1.2 million m³)

Pyramid of the Sun is largest building V Teotihuacan(Teotihuacán) and one of the largest pyramids in Central America. But, according to researchers, only a tenth of the complex is now open. It is believed that the original height of the pyramid was about 71 meters (now 64.5 meters), and the perimeter of the base was about 900 meters.

The name of this pyramid comes from the Aztecs who visited the city of Teotihuacan centuries after it was abandoned. The pyramid was built in two stages. At the first stage of construction, around 100 AD. the pyramid was built almost to the size we see today. The second phase of construction completed the formation of a pyramid measuring 225 meters (733 feet) across and 75 meters (246 feet) high.
Pyramid of the Sun- perhaps not only the most famous, but also the most popular ancient monument in Mesoamerica. During the dry season on weekends, a whole line of people who want to get to its top and touch the life-giving flow of energy, which, according to many, passes through the pyramid, line up near it.

6. Luxor Hotel - Luxor Hotel (1228 million m³)

Pyramid Luxor Hotel was one of the first in a decade-long wave of new mega hotels to spring up on the Las Vegas Strip ( Las Vegas Strip) in the 1990s. The Luxor Hotel was opened in 1993, after only eighteen months of construction, and renovated in 2006.

The hotel is a complex Egyptian style, consisting of three pyramid buildings and is the second largest in the United States. The top of the thirty-story black glass pyramid lights up every night, this is the world's largest searchlight. At the entrance, guests are greeted by a huge sphinx.

Luxor Hotel debuted as a complex containing 2526 rooms, a gigantic casino area, an exhibition hall, restaurants and entertainment centers on the 2nd floor. The rooms are also decorated with Egyptian motifs, and the rooms on the upper floors offer a beautiful panoramic view of the city.

With a base 183 meters (600 feet) long and 110 meters (350 feet) high, the Luxor Hotel Pyramid is significantly smaller than its famous model, the Great Pyramid of Giza.

5. Bent pyramid - Bent Pyramid (1237 million m³)

Bent pyramid located in Dashur, and is the second pyramid built by Pharaoh Sneferu. broken pyramid, created by Pharaoh Sneferu of the 4th Dynasty ancient kingdom, dates back to around 2600 BC.

Interestingly, the pyramid first rises above the desert at an angle of 55 degrees, and then suddenly changes its elevation angle by 43 degrees. One theory is that because of the steepness of the starting angle, the interior chambers and passageways became too large, forcing the builders to accept a smaller angle. This is a unique example of the first real pyramid, not a stepped one. It is also unique in that a unique burial complex of its kind was created around it.

The base of the pyramid is 188.6 meters (619 feet) and the height is 101.1 meters (332 feet).

4. Red Pyramid - Red Pyramid (1.69 million m³)

northern pyramid(or red pyramid) is one of the largest pyramids in Egypt and ranks third in height among all Egyptian pyramids. Located given pyramid on the territory of the Dakhshur necropolis.

Built by Pharaoh Sneferu, Red Pyramid is the world's first successful attempt to build a truly regular pyramid. If we talk about the name of the pyramid, then it is associated with the unique color of the stone blocks from which it was built.
The pyramid measures a base of 220 meters by 220 meters (722 feet) and is 104 meters (341 feet) high. It was the largest pyramid in Egypt before the construction of the Pyramids of Giza.

What really makes a pyramid Red Pyramid What's special today is the absence of the crowds that are always present on the Giza Plateau and the relatively unregulated access to the interior.

3. Great Pyramid of Cholula - Great Pyramid of Cholula (1.8 million m³)

Great Pyramid of Cholula located in Mexico, and seems to be a natural hill topped catholic church. This is the church "Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios", which was built in 1594 on the site of the temple.

It is worth noting that Pyramid in Cholula is the largest in the world in terms of its volume, it surpasses even the pyramid of Cheops. To date most of pyramids in Cholula destroyed. Inside the presented pyramid is just a huge tunnel, the length of which is almost eight kilometers. All the giant slabs from which this pyramid was built are covered with amazing carvings.

According to the Guinness Book of Records, this pyramid is actually the largest pyramid ever built anywhere in the world, with a total volume of over 4450 thousand m³. This is based on a size of 450 to 450 meters (1,476 ft × 1,476 ft) and a height of 66 m (217 ft).

The complex consists of several buildings built on top of each other, dating from the 3rd century BC to the 9th century AD. The pyramid at Chochul is the last stage of construction that was completed between 200 and 400 AD. During the colonial period, this pyramid was used as a cure for various diseases.

2. Pyramid of Khafre - Pyramid of Khafre (2.21 million m³)

Pyramid of Khafre is the second largest pyramid in Egypt and is located next to Great Sphinx. These two buildings can be considered together, since, most likely, they were built as a single composition. It was built forty years later than the pyramid of Cheops. Khafre was the son of Khufu (Cheops), so his pyramid is located not far from the Great Pyramid of his father. However, the pyramid of Khafre surpasses the pyramid of Cheops in its impregnability. It will take at least an hour for a group of experienced climbers to climb to its top.

Pyramid of Khafre and inferior in size to the pyramid of his father Khufu, its position on a higher hill and its steeper slope make it a worthy rival of the Great Pyramid. The pyramid has a base 215.5 meters (706 ft) long and originally rose to a height of 143.5 meters (471 ft), but is now 12 meters shorter. The most distinctive feature of the Pyramid of Khafre is the top layer of smooth stones, which are the only remaining body of stones on the Pyramid of Giza.

The uniqueness of the pyramid of Khafre lies in the fact that it is the most compact building in the world. With a volume of 16,292,000 square meters, the free space of the pyramid is less than one hundredth of a percent!

1. Great Pyramid of Cheops - Great Pyramid of Khufu (2.58 million m³)

Great Pyramid of Cheops is the oldest and only remaining miracle of the seven wonders ancient world. The Pyramid of Cheops is a masterpiece of engineering art, not only thanks to its giant size. This pyramid was the tallest building created by man for 3800 years.

The Pyramid of Cheops is the most significant and famous of all the pyramids located in Giza. It staggers the imagination with its grandiose size and unique features designs. Over 2 million stone blocks were used to build the pyramid over a 20-year period ending around 2560 BC.


mr Egyptian pyramids- the greatest architectural monuments of Ancient Egypt, among which one of the "seven wonders of the world" - the pyramid of Cheops. Pyramids are huge pyramid-shaped stone structures used as tombs for the pharaohs of ancient Egypt. The word "pyramid" is Greek. According to some researchers, a large pile of wheat became the prototype of the pyramid. According to other scientists, this word comes from the name of the funeral cake of a pyramidal shape. In total, 118 pyramids were discovered in Egypt (as of November 2008).

The forerunners of the pyramids

When referring to the Egyptian pyramids, as a rule, they mean the Great Pyramids located in Giza, not far from Cairo. But they are not the only pyramids in Egypt. Many other pyramids are much worse preserved and now resemble hills or piles of stones.

During the period of the first dynasties, special “houses after life” appeared - mastabas - burial buildings, which consisted of an underground burial chamber and stone structure above the surface of the earth. The term itself already refers to the Arab time and is due to the fact that the shape of these tombs, similar in section to a trapezoid, reminded the Arabs of large benches called “mastaba”.

The first pharaohs also built mastabas for themselves. The oldest royal mastabas, dating back to the 1st dynasty, were built from adobes - unbaked bricks made of clay and / or river silt. They were built at Nagada and Abydos in Upper Egypt, as well as at Saqqara, where the main necropolis of Memphis, the capital of the rulers of the first dynasties, was located. In the ground part of these buildings there were chapels and rooms with grave goods, and in the underground part there were actually burial chambers.

The largest pyramids of Egypt

  • Pyramid of Cheops (IV dynasty): 230 m (146 m);
  • Pink Pyramid, Sneferu (IV dynasty): 219 m (105 m);
  • Pyramid of Khafre (IV dynasty): 215 m (143 m);
  • Bent Pyramid, Sneferu (IV Dynasty): 189 m (105 m);
  • Pyramid at Meidum, Sneferu (4th dynasty): 144 m (94 m);
  • Pyramid of Djoser (III dynasty): 121 x 109 m (62 m);

Dating of the building

Pharaoh Approximate dates Location
Djoser OK. 2630-2612 BC e. Saqqara
Sneferu OK. 2612-2589 BC e. 2 pyramids in Dahshur
and one in Meidum
Khufu OK. 2589-2566 BC e. Giza
Jedefra OK. 2566-2558 BC e. Abu Rawash
Khafra OK. 2558-2532 BC e. Giza
Menkaura (Menkaura) OK. 2532-2504 BC e. Giza
Sahura OK. 2487-2477 BC e. Abusir
Neferikara Kakai OK. 2477-2467 BC e. Abusir
Nyuserra Isi OK. 2416-2392 BC e. Abusir
Amenemhat I OK. 1991-1962 BC e. El Lisht
Senusret I OK. 1971-1926 BC e. El Lisht
Senusret II OK. 1897-1878 BC e. El Lahun
Amenemhat III OK. 1860-1814 BC e. Hawara

Pyramids of the pharaohs of the III dynasty

Pyramid Khaba

In the central part of the pyramid in Zawiet el-Erian, the masonry structure is clearly visible - the layers of stone are slightly inclined towards the center and seem to rest on it (because of this, it is sometimes also called "Puff"). The material of the building is roughly hewn stone of small size and clay mortar. The technology for building the pyramid at Zawiet el-Erian is similar to that used in the construction of the pyramid of Sekhemkhet and the Step Pyramid at Saqqara.

Pyramid of Djoser

This is the first step-type pyramid, called the Pyramid of Djoser. The building dates from around 2670 BC, and looks like several mastabas of decreasing size stacked on top of each other. Most likely, this was precisely the intention of the architect of this pyramid, Imhotep. Imhotep developed a method of laying from hewn stone. Subsequently, the Egyptians deeply revered the architect of the first pyramid, and even deified him. He was considered the son of the god Ptah, the patron of arts and crafts.

The Pyramid of Djoser is located at Saqqara, northeast of ancient Memphis, 15 km from Giza. Its height is 62 m.

Pyramids of the pharaohs of the 4th dynasty

broken pyramid

The historical significance of the Pink Pyramid is that it is the first royal tomb of a regular stereometric pyramidal shape (although the angle of its side has an error of only 43°36", in contrast to later norms - 51°52"). Although the “pink” tomb is considered the first “true” pyramid, it has an extremely low slope of the walls (the base is 218.5 × 221.5 m at a height of 104.4 m).

The name is associated with the color of the limestone blocks from which the pyramid is built, which acquires a pink color in the rays of the setting sun. Entrance through a sloping passage on north side descends into three adjacent chambers, all filled with stones and inaccessible. This pyramid is attributed to Sneferu, because his name is inscribed on several blocks of sheathing in red paint.

Pyramid at Meidum

great pyramids

Great Pyramids at Giza

The Great Pyramids are the pyramids of the pharaohs Cheops, Khafre and Mykerin located in Giza. Unlike the pyramid of Djoser, these pyramids do not have a stepped, but a strictly geometric, pyramidal shape. These pyramids belong to the period of the IV dynasty. The walls of the pyramids rise at an angle of 51° (Pyramid of Menkaure) to 53° (Pyramid of Khafre) to the horizon. This angle embodies the mathematical value of the number "π" in the pyramid (at an angle of 51-53 °, the ratio of the half-perimeter of the base of the pyramid to its height, with an accuracy of 4%, is equal to the ratio of the circumference to its diameter). The edges are precisely oriented to the cardinal points. The pyramid of Cheops was built on a massive natural rocky elevation, which turned out to be in the very middle of the base of the pyramid. Its height is about 9 m.

Later, the tradition of building pyramids was taken over by the rulers of ancient Sudan.

Pyramid of Userkaf

Pyramid of Sahure and Neferefre

Pyramid of Neferefre in Abusir.

Facing

In order for the surface of the pyramid to be even, they were lined with facing slabs (mainly made of limestone).

The pyramid at Meidum is faced with polished slabs of Turkish limestone. In our time, the entire lining and most of the outer layers have not been preserved.

The pink pyramid was lined with white limestone, but over time the lining was removed. local population and blocks of pink limestone are now visible.

The pyramid of Khafre was covered with limestone, which is preserved only at the top.

The Pyramid of Mycerinus, about a third of its height, was lined with red Aswan granite, then it was replaced by white slabs of Turkish limestone, and the top, in all likelihood, was also made of red granite.

Block Alignment

Some pyramids that have retained their lining allow you to see the quality of the surface treatment of the stone. In addition to the fact that large blocks are fitted so that there are no gaps between them, the outer surface often forms an ideal plane, despite the fact that this plane is at an angle to the base. A prime example this can be served by the facing of the broken and Meidum pyramids.

When leveling the surface of the stones at the entrance to the pyramid of Menkaure, the outermost stones were not completely leveled, and the edge of the leveling line passes continuously through all the stones of the masonry, which allows us to assume that the surface of the blocks was leveled after the stones were laid. The same assumption is confirmed by the leveling of the floor, not far from the pyramid of Userkaf. The lower surface of the floor stones is in the sand and has a natural raw shape; stones though different heights, however, the upper part of the stones forms a single flat surface.


If we talk about countries where you can see this miracle of ancient architecture, then the first thing that comes to mind, of course, is Egypt - it is in this country that you can enjoy the view of the highest pyramids in the world.

Some tourists are more interested in modern creations of engineers and architects. And others - mysterious structures that are already thousands of years old. Now there are quite a few pyramids in the world, and in order to see them, travelers are ready to cross any ocean, drive tens of kilometers through the hot desert or fly half the world on an airplane. Many ancient pyramids are partially destroyed, but there are those that have not even been fully dug up yet, but this does not prevent them from topping the list of those places that people would like to make an excursion to in the first place.


Variety of Egyptian pyramids

Egypt is one of the most tempting and colorful places where tourists from all over the world seek to go on vacation. Choosing a travel agency interesting tours, the first thing that comes to people's mind when they ask themselves the question: is, of course, to look at the highest pyramid in Giza. Although not everyone knows that it is, as well as the fact that there are much more pyramids in Egypt than we are used to seeing in colorful travel brochures.

Indeed, according to the Guinness Book of Records, the tallest pyramid in the world is famous pyramid Cheops. It is rightly called one of the seven wonders of the world. And if it seems to you that these measurements are carried out solely by determining the height of these structures, then you are deeply mistaken. The main role in determining the size of the pyramid is played by its volume.


The tallest pyramid in Egypt, built by Pharaoh Cheops in 2560 BC, on this moment time has a volume of about 2.5 million cubic meters. The height of this colossal and historically important monument is almost 140 meters, and the length of the pyramid at the base is 230 meters. Perhaps the numbers indicated on paper do not really impress you, but believe me - it's just huge architectural structure of two million huge stone blocks. Any guide that will accompany you on your journey to the Valley of the Kings will tell you about all the hypotheses and historical conjectures regarding the stages and method of building the Cheops pyramid.

The second largest pyramid on the Giza plateau is the Pyramid of Khafre. Its size is 2.2 million cubic meters. This pyramid is located on a hill, which makes it visually more pyramid Cheops, although in reality it is not. The special note of this ancient building is the presence of layers of facing stone, which is very rare for such ancient architectural objects.


But the Giza Plateau is far from the only place where you can touch the source of ancient Egyptian culture. In Dahshur, the so-called Pink Pyramid is still preserved, which, before the construction of the pyramids in Giza, was the highest in Ancient Egypt. It got its name due to the pink hue that the limestone from which it is built acquires when the sun sets. Its height today is 104 meters. She owes her appearance to the reign of Pharaoh Snefer (or Snefer), who was the first to make an attempt, we note successful, to build a pyramid of the correct form.

His second brainchild was the no less famous Bent Pyramid. So unusual name this structure received due to the sharply changing angle of inclination from 55 to 43 degrees. There are many hypotheses for such an unusual architectural move, and each has the right to be recognized as correct.



Pyramids of Mexico - traces of lost civilizations

Even a child knows about the pyramids in Egypt now. But in what country can you find similar traces of ancient civilizations? Here and many adults will think. The correct answer is Mexico. It is in this country that you can find the pyramids of the ancient peoples - the Aztecs and the Mayans, many of which are still hidden by the impenetrable jungle, covered with earth or flooded.

One of the tallest pyramids in Mexico is the Pyramid of the Sun from the ancient Aztec city of Teotihuacan, which has an area of ​​200 meters and a height of 60 meters. Or the third in the list of the tallest pyramids on the planet - great pyramid Cholula, with a volume of 1.8 million cubic meters.


Mexican pyramids are markedly different from Egyptian ones. In the upper part of the building they have a truncated view - a terrace. Scientists believe that the ancient Maya erected their temples on these same terraces. And just like in history with the ancients Egyptian pyramids, scientists are struggling with the riddle: how in such a miraculous way did the Indians erect these colossal structures with the then development of technology. And the main question of history and archeology - why and for what purpose? As you can see, there are also many reasons to visit Mexico along with Egypt.