Comparing Mexicos Pyramids to Egypts - 3404 Words

The more than 100 pyramids that punctuate the west bank of the Nile have intrigued mankind for millennia. Numerous articles and books have discussed the pyramids of Egypt and the wondrous tombs, sculpture, jewelry, and artwork they secreted. However, pyramids are found in various locations in the world beyond EgyptÂâ€"most notably in South America, Mesoamerica, Mesopotamia, India, and Cambodia. Is it possible that the ancient civilizations of Central America and South America, as an example, somehow came to be aware of the pyramids of the ancient Egyptians or did the Mesoamerican pyramids arise spontaneously from the culture of the Inca and subsequently from that of the Maya? The latter is believed to be the case. There is no convincing†¦show more content†¦The Great Pyramid at Giza is the best known and largest of the pyramids constructed between the Third Dynasty and the Thirteenth Dynasty (2686-1650 B.C.) of Egypt s paranoiac age. The Great Pyramid of the pharaoh Khufu Ââ€"or, as the Greeks referred to him, Cheops Ââ€"was constructed during the Fourth Dynasty, about 2,550 years before the birth of Christ. Khufu reigned from 2551 to 2528 B.C. The structural wonder that became this pharaohs legacy to the world is nothing short of astonishing. The square base of the pyramid, which is approximately 230 meters on a side, covers an area of 53,000 square meters. Originally the pyramid was 146.6 meters high, but the topmost 8 meters has been lost to time. The interior of Khufus great tomb is architecturally quite complex. The principal internal structures include the Descending Corridor, the Lower Chamber, the Ascending Corridor, the Queens Chamber, the Grand Gallery, and the Kings Chamber. The Queens Chamber is a misnomer; this chamber was most likely intended for Khufu. (It was mistakenly given its name centuries ago by Arab explorers.) The roof of the Queens Chamber incorporates 6 large beams on each side, for a total of 12 beams that form a V-shaped ceilingÂâ€"technically a pointed saddle roof. The walls and ceiling have tight joints and a fine finish. On the east wall is a recessed