Why did civilizations all over the world build pyramids?

Question

so many different civilizations built pyramids, but yet they were from such different parts of the world, from china to south america. what made them all make buildings so simmilar, why are they so simmilar

Answer 1

It's the only way to build very massive and tall buildings with solid stone blocks. If they tried to build a large cube (or some other structure with vertical sides) the same height as a large pyramid the base stones would crack and crumble from the weight. A pyramid works because the taper allows the weight of each upper stone to be dispersed across several base stones, preventing crumbling.

There's even a pyramid in Egypt they started building it too vertical resulting in cracking after the first few layers. So the rest of the layers they increased the slope. See pic: http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://z.about.com/d/archaeology/1/8/B/s/bent_pyramid.jpg&imgrefurl=http://archaeology.about.com/od/bterms/g/bentpyramid.htm%3Fp%3D1&h=150&w=200&sz=12&hl=en&start=92&tbnid=UKBLQI9u0txHUM:&tbnh=78&tbnw=104&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dpyramid%2Begypt%26start%3D84%26gbv%3D2%26ndsp%3D21%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN

It wasn't until modern lighter & stronger building materials and techniques were developed that tall & vertical buildings could be built.

Answer 2

I think it has to do with religion, myself. The pyramid has always been a sacred symbol, so to build structures that reflect that symbol seems like a pretty good idea. Upside down triangles (also called the blade) is a symbol of aspiration or rising up, male force, and fire. It is purely phallic in origin. The triangle represents aspiration, rising forcem and the male principal.

The downward pointing triangle is referred to as the chalice. It is the symbol of water (as it flows downward), the grace of heaven, and the womb. it is one of the most ancient symbols of female divinity, as a representation of the genitalia of the goddess. This idea is discussed in length in Dan Brown's The DaVinci Code, but is a pretty ancient idea.

Most Egyptologists, though, have developed theories about why the tombs of the early pharaohs were built in the pyramid shape. Here are three different ideas:

1. The pyramid represented the first land to appear at the beginning of time- a hill called 'Ben-Ben'.

2. The pyramid had sloping sides so that the dead pharaoh could symbolically climb to the sky and live forever.

3. The pyramid represented the rays of the sun

So, while we'll never know for sure why ancient people chose that particular shape, we can certainly theorize.

Answer 3

Pyramids were built for different reasons and were built throughout the world at different times. Pyramids in egypt started as one level structures called mastabas. Adding other levels over time created a step like pyramid and eventually the egyptians figured out how to build the sleek and smooth pyramids were are familiar with today.

Answer 4

There are certain basics that transcend culture. Like in math, 1+1=2 no matter where you are from. The Pyramid is a very basic shape. And it is relatively easy to build a large pyramid compared to a straight tower of the same height.

Answer 5

It is a very easy answer. That shape was the only way to support a building of great height. Buildings that went straight up to that height would fall down. Although Egyptian pyramids were not used as "look-out towers," many other pyramids, notably Mayan, offered the city leaders a chance to see armies approaching from far away.

Answer 6

Human psychology and the laws of physics are the reasons. Tall structures are instinctive symbols of power and divinity. The laws of physics which affect the building of tall structures are the same for all civilizations and in all parts of the world. The pyramid is the most stable shape for a tall structure, in that it distributes weight really well. Its wide base prevents the building from toppling or sinking into the ground. In all civilizations, engineers analyzed the same set of givens and variables and came to the same conclusions. It's really that simple.

Answer 7

I think because the triangle is one of the most basic shapes to build from and as the weight pushes in it holds itself together rather then a flat square which would have been much harder for their time.

Not that it was easy by any means i just think that this was how the thought processes would have worked for an attempt to build something so large at that time.
I mean how would you put a roof on something so tall in ancient Egypt without having modern tools ?

edit.They said the same thing I said it first, boo yah.

Answer 8

in my opinion, i've got faith it became the 1000's of Jewish slaves that made it achievable to create the pyramids. they could be labored to dying and for hours and hours on end; no human rights back then. Alot of guy-capability guided devoid of question with the help of a few extreamly smart - which we get some each few an prolonged time - dictator could desire to create alot of issues. think of in case you had the capability, velocity, initive, etc of a hundred men AND tiredness wasn't a area - you're able to be able to desire to do a hell of alot in an afternoon, so think of two an prolonged time. As for in easy terms engaged on the pyramids 3 months a 300 and sixty 5 days - that doesn't sound ideas-blowing. Harvesting the flowers whilst they have grown could no longer of taken greater beneficial than a month - otherwise does no longer the crop have elderly and died? Plus they did no longer could desire to water their flowers; they could merely wait for the Nile to overflow. i think of you have gotten probably have been given your suggestion blended up, and advise't they harvested flowers 3 months a 300 and sixty 5 days, and labored on the pryamids the different 7. additionally, I even have researched and located the commonplace pyramid block weighs 2.5 tonnes - the guy capability that they had could of dealt with blocks of this weight fast and efficently. As for their understanding of the image voltaic device, I also have a simplistic concept. Ra became the best God for Egyptians. Ra is represented with the help of the solar. in case you think of roughly it, actually the Pharohs could have a lot of people attempting to "appease" the solar and discover out greater approximately it. The moon, stars, etc could additionally characterize Gods - as did the planets - so they could study to narrate those too. modern-day society is conscious ALOT relating to the image voltaic device merely by using remark - it is sensible the Egyptians could desire to too, exceptionally in a time devoid of pollution so a good number of sparkling sky.

Answer 9

Try to lean 4 sticks together in the shape of a pyramid. Try to stand up 1 stick WITHOUT embedding it in the ground.

Which one is easier?

Tall freestanding structures require to have a foundation in the ground, while structures leaning against each other are much easier to manage and build (Try to put a ramp on a triangle. Now put a ramp to go to the top of a skyscraper.)

Pyramids could be made to be very tall with simple technology. It took centuries to build tall freestanding structures easily.

Answer 10

it is their belief that their Gods live in high places so they build those high pyramids. it is also used to give their offerings to their God. their pyramids are not similar but the purpose of using their pyramids are almost the same. these sites can help you a lot:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyramid
http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/refpages/search.aspx?q=pyramid
http://www.aloha.net/~hawmtn/pyramid.htm