Learn More About…Pyramids July 2012: Raven Hill’s Modern Interpretation of The Pyramid in Progress in the African Cultures Raven Hill’s Modern Interpretation Of a Step Pyramid in the African Cultures Designed and built by Jeff Hellebuyck (Note: Raven Hill’s Sphinx in the foreground) The pictures to the left and above show the modern equipment and man power (3 men) used to build our version of an ancient step pyramid!

Pyramids…and their Shape ▲ The base can have ▲ Three sides (Trilateral) ▲ Four sides (Quadrilateral) or ▲ Many sides (Polygon) ▲ Its outer surfaces are triangular in shape ▲ The sides can converge to a single point at the top or may be flat at the summit. Snofru’s Red Pyramid in Egypt dated about 2600 BCE (or BC) (Picture by Sturm 58 in Wikipedia)

Ancient Pyramids…and their Purpose ▲ The purpose of ancient pyramids is not always known ▲ In Egypt, China, Sudan, Greece and Rome - many pyramids were built as tombs for Pharaohs, Emperors, Kings, Queens and their relatives, soldiers or religious leaders ▲ Some Mesoamerican and Mesopotamian pyramids were built with temples on top or as temples Pyramid of the Moon in Mexico constructed between 200 and 450 CE (or AD) (picture by Ineuw in Wikipedia) Nubian Pyramid in Sudan dated around 300 BCE (or BC) – CE (or AD) 300 (picture by Wufei07 in Wikipedia)

Pyramids… Building in the Ancient World Scholars think (theorize or hypothesize) that: ▲Later pyramids were built differently than earlier pyramids ▲ Some may have been built by 5,000 to 50,000 slave laborers and/or skilled paid laborers ▲ Pyramids were built of many different materials including limestone, granite and mud bricks with limestone veneer. Most of the material was very heavy – some pieces weighing up to 80 tons - and had to be moved a long way ▲ Builders may have used ramps to move the stone blocks up the pyramid as they built it (see below) ▲ Gypsum and rubble were often used to fill gaps between stones Left: Example of ramp construction for pyramids (by Anthro in Wikipedia) [Based on the image from [ this article] From left to right: Zig-zagging ramp (Holscher), ramp utilizing the incomplete part of the superstructure (Dieter Arnold), and a spiraling ramp supported by the superstructure (Mark Lehner)

Pyramids in…Africa Pyramids… can be found all over the World Saqqara stepped pyramid in Egypt dated about 2630–2612 BCE (or BC) (picture by Charlesjsharp in Wikipedia) Othographic map of Africa by Martin in Wikipedia

Pyramids in…Europe The Pyramid of Cestius, in Rome, Italy built around 12 BCE (or BC) (Picture by Francesco Gasparetti in Wikipedia) Orthographic map of Europe by Ssolbergj in Wikipedia

Pyramids in…Asia Ancient Korean tomb in Ji’an, Northeastern China dated about 394 CE (or AD) (picture by Bart0278 in Wikipedia) Orthographic map of Asia by Ssolbergj in Wikipedia

Pyramids in…Central & South America Tikal Temple in Guatemala dated about 732 CE (or AD) (picture by Raymond Ostertag in Wikipedia) Orthographic map of Latin America by Heraldry in Wikipedia

Pyramids in…North America Monk’s Mound, a Pre-Columbian earthwork constructed about CE (or AD) located near Collinsville, Illinois. The modern staircase is built along the course of the original wooden stairs. (Picture by Skubasteve834 in Wikipedia) Orthographic projection of North America by Bosonic dressing in Wikipedia

COMPARECOMPARE  COMPARE Raven Hill’s Pyramid with ancient pyramids from other cultures:  How are they alike?  How are they different? © Raven Hill Discovery Center March 2013

LEARN MORELEARN MORE LINKS… TO LEARN MORE  Wikipedia  Pyramids Pyramids  Egyptian Pyramids Egyptian Pyramids  Egyptian Pyramid Construction Techniques Egyptian Pyramid Construction Techniques  NOVA  Pyramids: The Inside Story Pyramids: The Inside Story  Explore the Pyramids Explore the Pyramids  Smithsonian  The Egyptian Pyramid The Egyptian Pyramid