A pyramid is a structure where the outer surfaces are triangular and converge at a single point known as the apex. Here are some key aspects:
The most well-known pyramids are the Egyptian Pyramids built during the Old and Middle Kingdom periods as tombs for the pharaohs. The largest of these, the Great Pyramid of Giza, was constructed for Pharaoh Khufu around 2560 B.C. and is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
The exact techniques used in ancient pyramid construction remain a subject of debate. Theories include ramps, levers, and the use of the Nile River for transporting heavy stones.
Pyramids in Egypt were seen as a symbol of the pharaoh's journey to the afterlife, representing the sun's rays descending to earth, and were filled with goods for the afterlife. In Mesoamerica, they served as ceremonial platforms, often for human sacrifices or other rituals.
Today, the term 'pyramid' is also used in various contexts: