The pyramids are not only found in Egypt but all over the world: where these ancient giants are

The pyramidsor rather pyramidal structures, are located all over the world and not only in Egypt. Were made in different eras and with very different functionsdepending on the cultural context. They are present in every continent: Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania. The largest in the world remains that of Cheop In Giza, 146 m high, while the country with the largest number of pyramids is the Sudanwith over 200 Structures known to date.

Africa: the pyramids in Egypt, Sudan, Mali and Nigeria

The most famous pyramids in the world are of course those Egyptian. These structures, built to host the tombs of the pharaohswere built in the period of theAncient kingdom (approximately Between 2800 and 2100 BC. C.) from the sovereigns of the third, fourth, fifth and some of the sixth dynasty. The Egyptian pyramids differ very much in size and shape (the largest is that of Cheopin Giza, 146 m high), but the architectural model appears to be presumably that of mastabaor the pyramid trunk structure characteristic of the Egypt of the V-IV Millennio BC; The oldest is probably that of Zoserwhich reigned from 2680 to 2660 BC

In addition to the famous Egyptian pyramids, the African continent also hosts other imposing architectural testimonies of this type. Among the most famous are the Pyramids of Kush’s kingdomlocated in the present Sudana region that in ancient times was known by the name of Nubia. Surprisingly, Sudan is precisely the country with the largest number of pyramids in the worldwith over 200 structures known to date, all made between theVIII and the 4th century BC THE sovereigns and members of the Kushita nobility were built in pyramids inspired by the Egyptian modelwhile presenting significant chronological and architectural differences. The Nubian pyramids, in fact, are more slender and steepand often equipped with imposing monumental portalsthe highest reaches about 30 meters high.

The presence of pyramidal structures is also attested in theAfrica subsaharan. In EvilsIn the 15th century ADthe so -called was erected Tomb of Askia17 m high, UNESCO heritage, perhaps the tomb of a sovereign, while in Nigeria The NSUDE altars (unfortunately many have been lost), sanctuaries of the people Igbo. These are in both cases of different expressions of the architectural tradition in mud of the Region of Sahel.

Central America: Pyramidal structures in Mexico

Different Mesoamerican civilization built steps with steps. Unlike the Egyptian pyramids, with funeral function, the meso -American ones were structures for religious purposes (even if the existence of some tombs is attested), with a temple on top e monumental steps to reach the top. Often the meso -American pyramids were embellished with Fregi and exposed paintings in their external parts. The greatest of all is the so -called “Pyramid of the sun” Of Teotihuacanin Mexicodating back to I-II century d. C. and high 220 m. Other complex pyramid complexes were erected in the cities Maya during the 1st millennium of C. and subsequently from Aztec Starting from the 14th century

Southern America: the site of Hellin Peru

Also in South America There is an example of a pyramidal structure, although less known than the Mesoamerican pyramids. On the website of Hellin Peruthe remains of a flourishing cityprobably the older than the Americas, dated to the III millennium BC (therefore contemporary of the Egyptian pyramids). Several pyramids were erected in this mysterious urban center, the highest is preserved today for 28 m. The archaeological finds in the area around the CAL pyramids testify how the area was inhabited by High ranking charactersand probably the presence of these monuments was linked to the social approach of the population, or vice versa.

Northern America: i tumuli in the United States

Many native cultures of North America they erected tumuli For religious and funeral purposes. The largest and best known site is that of Cahokiain Illinois, in United States. Here, At the turn of the 1st and second millennium d. C.a vast arose religious center associated with Mississippi cultureone of the most important native north -native archaeological cultures. The main structure was Monks Mounda huge pyramidal tumulus on two terraces 30 m high and built At the beginning of the 10th century d. C. Cahokia prospered until the fourteenth century when it was abandoned.

Asia: the Ziggurat Mesopotamiche and temples

On the Asian continent The most famous pyramidal structures are certainly the Ziggurat Mesopotamichethe steel pyramids par excellence. These structures were built like temples and administrative-religious centers from Sumerianand subsequently by the other Mesopotamian civilizations, such as i Babylonian they Assyrians. The oldest note to date is the Anu Ziggurat of Uruk, in the current southern Iraq, built between the IV and the III millennium BC Some of the best known zigguits are that of Screamalways in Iraq, built in the 21st century. to. C.today partially reconstructed, el ‘Etemenanki of Babylonfrom the Second half of the second millennium a. C.today no longer existing, which constituted Probably the inspiration for the biblical story of the Babel Tower.

In the’Southern Indiasome Hindu temples of Chola period (IX-XIII century D. C.) and subsequent eras adopted monumental pyramidal forms among their architectural modules. Always starting from India, the architectural model of the stupaof the Buddhist sanctuaries, initially conceived as simple mounds, but subsequently become more complex structures, including pyramidal shapes. In Indonesiaon horseback Among the first millenniums. C. and the first millennium d. C. several were built sanctuaries and steps with steps. Always in this archipelago, the influences of Indian architecture subsequently stimulated the realization of several Buddhist temples with pyramidal forms.

Also in China There are monumental pyramidal mounds. These are a few tens of mausoleums of characters of very high rankincluding emperors and imperative, built In the final centuries of the first millennium BC and with a recovery at the time of the Tang dynasty (618-907 AD). The best known Chinese pyramid is that of the funerary complex in Xi’an di Qin Shi Huang (259-210 BC), the first emperor of unified China, close to which the famous was found terracotta army. The mound is preserved for 50 m in heightwith the sepulchral chamber that has not yet been identified with certainty. Probably on Chinese influence, even some sovereigns Korean They made themselves bury in pyramidal tombs.

Europe: the examples in Italy and Greece

Although the architectural model of the pyramid did not act particularly in Europe, even in our continent there are some examples. In the north of the Sardinianear Sassari, is located prehistoric sanctuary of Monte d’Acoddi. It is a monumental altar consisting of two overlapping pyramid trunkson whose top presumably religious functions took place. The structure was built in several phases Starting from the 5th millennium BCduring the Neolithicand was in use with different functions for millennia, at least until the beginning of the bronze age, on the threshold of the second millennium BC

In the Greek region of Argolidein the Peloponnese peninsula, there are some mysterious pyramidal structureson whose dating still debates today. Originally there were four, but today only two survived it, the one preserved better is the Hellikinon pyramid. These are constructions made of processed blocks, on whose dating and function still debates today. The Greek traveler Pausania He saw them and described them in the second century. DC, considering it collective tombs dating back to the seventh century. AC as far as their function remains obscurethe most reliable archaeological studies consider them more recent than at least a couple of centuries.

TO Rome Then there is the famous Cestia pyramida sepulcher of the end of the first century B.C Made of concrete, bricks and marble, it is 36 m high And it was the tomb of Gaio Cestio Epulonea rich and influential Roman citizen near the circle of the emperor August (63 BC. C. – 14 D. C.). Gaius Cestio probably chose to be buried in a pyramid because of the Egyptian fashion who was spreading in Rome following the conquest of Egypt by Augustus, which took place in 30 BC. C.

Oceania: tumuli And Sacred steps to steps

Also in Oceania There are pyramidal structures. More than real pyramids, in Polynesian context it would be more correct to speak of tumuli And Sacred steps to stepswith numerous analogies with those of Indonesia. Also in this case these are structures for use religiousattested to several peoples of origin Polynesian. The best known of these sanctuaries is Puʻukoholā Heiauon the island of Hawaiihis name means “Temple of the whale hill“, And it was made of volcanic stone. It was built Between 1790 and 1791 by the Hawaiian king Kamehameha ito celebrate his victories and the unification of the island.

Another large ocean sanctuary is located on the island of Savai’iin Samoa. It is the Pulemelei mound12 tall me made of basalt blocks. The sanctuary was built in several phases Starting from the fifteenth century, and then falling into disuse in the 19th. In the centuries of use it was probably the most significant place for Samoan people.