Introduction
In the global world of today, with air and other speedy forms of travel, it may be easy to imagine two similar types of structures created in two distinctly different parts of the earth far apart from each other and separated in time by many centuries. However, to students of ancient history and culture, the existence of pyramids in Egypt and Central America will always remain a subject of great interest providing insights into larger facets of human civilization in the pre-classic age and beyond.
The Mayan and Egyptian pyramids not only signify a difference in architecture but also a variation in civilization forms and human development over the ages. The rationale for these gigantic structures is also evident as they were built to be visible from afar reminding people that their king and God were always close to them watching all their activities.
A comparison between the pyramids of Maya and Egypt would provide a deeper understanding of the processes involved in human evolution and culture.
Comparison between Mayan and Egyptian Pyramids
The pyramid is a geometric shape used as a resting place for gods and departed kings in Egyptian and Mayan cultures. Despite being separated by over 2500 years, pyramids have distinguishing features that denote the evolution of mankind.
The Egyptian pyramids were built many centuries before the Mayan structures. They date back to as early as 26th Century BC (Hawas. Mubarak, 2003). The most famous of these pyramids were built after 2900 BC, with Khufu’s pyramid estimated to have been constructed between 2900 and 2877 BC. Khafre’s was constructed around 2850 BC, while Menkure’s was built even later in 2800 BC.
The Mayan civilization has its origins dating back to 2500 BC. However, the evolution of the pyramids is seen in the later part around 250 AD. This civilization spread across a wide area of Central America, including Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras. The Mayan civilization gained ascendancy when most other parts of the world – particularly developed regions like Europe – were still considered in the Dark Ages.
The Mayan civilization culminated in settled communities that started with fired clay and pottery and gradually led to sedentary settlements during the Pre-Classic period (Coe, 1999).
The excavated sites of the Mayan pyramids include Chichen Itza in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, and Tikal in Guatemala. Pyramids are also found in Lamanai, Belize, as well as Copan in Honduras (Coe, 1999). However, Egyptian pyramids are not seen all along the Nile delta but are relatively restricted to a smaller area (Hawas & Mubarak, 2003). The Mayan pyramids are relatively recent constructions. The Jaguar is from the 700 AD era while the Temple of Masks is said to be from 699 AD.
Despite this, there are many similarities and differences between the two. First, the form of both structures is reasonably similar, now geometrically designated as a pyramid. Architecturally, this is accepted as a sound form of structure and may have been evolved by designers of those times.
A detailed review of the structure indicates some major differences between the Egyptian and Mayan pyramids. The key difference, apparent even upon cursory examination, is size. The Egyptian pyramids were imposing structures, with the largest – the Great Pyramid of Khufu at Giza – said to have been over 481 feet high (though a portion of the top has since disintegrated). (Hawas & Mubarak, 2003) In contrast, Mayan pyramids are considerably smaller but no less gigantic. Both structures had four sides that tapered upwards into conical tops in the case of the Egyptians and relatively flatter apexes for the Mayans. The Egyptian pyramids had smooth surfaces while Mayan structures are distinguished by serrations and protrusions that assist people in climbing them easily. (Lelmer, 1997) It is clear that both structures served a purpose for worship as well as utility.
It is evident that the purpose for which Egyptian and Mayan pyramids were designed differed. The Egyptian pyramid was primarily a tomb, with a separate temple attached to it. In contrast, Mayan pyramids were a combination of temples and tombs, featuring steps and stairways for people to climb. Many Mayan pyramids also had flat tops where ceremonial functions could take place. The Egyptian pyramids were mainly designed as ceremonial resting places for ancestral monarchs.
The geographic surroundings of these structures were significantly varied, which may have influenced both their external and internal design. The Egyptian pyramids are located in the Nile River Valley, which is relatively devoid of dense forest cover, while the Mayan structures were in areas with thick foliage. The smooth surface of the pyramids in Egypt was designed to withstand sandstorms in the barren landscape. In contrast, the Mayan pyramids also acted as navigational aids for travelers by indicating a nearby resting place. Thus, these structures had great utility in ancient times.
Another variation that distinctly differentiates the two structures is their construction. Egyptian pyramids are made of huge blocks of rough stones stacked on top of each other, which do not necessarily require cutting or fine implements for laying. On the other hand, Mayan pyramids suggest the use of tools such as chert in their construction. These tools can work on limestone, which is the primary material used to construct these pyramids.
However, Egyptians were not entirely devoid of construction skills and seemed to have good knowledge about stone laying, shaping blocks, and structural soundness. The most significant aspect of their construction was sealing. The pyramids were so effectively sealed that they were only broken into much later by robbers who stole precious items placed inside (Lelmer, 1997).
The Mayan pyramids never had any sealing and had free access especially for priests and probably some special devotees. However, like the Egyptians, Mayan period pyramids were also subject to thefts due to placing valuables such as precious stones inside these structures.
The interior of an Egyptian pyramid is also quite elaborate, providing comfortable quarters for the pharaoh’s requirements even when laid to rest as a mummy. It also indicates areas for the exit of the soul. Mayan pyramids were an ideal place of burial for great kings and rulers like the Jaguar who was offered many items of jewelry and other precious stones. These temple pyramids comprised more than one room, which were likely used for various ceremonies by the Mayans.
The Mayan pyramids had a dual purpose. One was for carrying out rituals, including those of sacrifice, while the other was for worship. The construction was designed based on the function. Thus, the pyramid for worship did not have any facility for climbing and was only meant to be touched.
On the other hand, the Egyptians had a unique purpose for their pyramids – they were resting places for kings who were mummified after death. These structures were supposed to provide an abode for the spirit to leave the body and take rebirth. This also affected how they were adorned.
Correlation with Culture
Examination of the design and construction of the pyramids indicates significant cultural variations. The ancient Egyptian culture had a strong belief in life after death, which led to the hollow structure of the pyramids. Inside, all riches and belongings were placed by Pharaohs to fulfill their needs in the afterlife. As people also considered Pharaohs as demigods, they allowed them to stock the pyramids with precious jewelry and objects of art. Some of these items had specific roles in religious rituals that Pharaohs performed on behalf of their people. Additionally, jars and receptacles were included in Egyptian pyramids as offerings to gods and for use by Pharaohs in their afterlife.
Another key distinction between the two cultures in relation to the pyramids is the Egyptian tradition of mummification or embalming remains of the body before placing them inside the pyramid. In Mayan era, no such practice is evident. This may have had some relation to the climate of the location, as humidity in Central America would have prevented preservation for long periods. Moreover, since the Mayans were not overly concerned about afterlife, there is no possibility of mummification having taken root in their culture. The pyramids with temples on top thus signified that these were abodes of Gods or great kings of the past.
The Mayan pyramids had religious significance as they were built in honor of gods and the king who represented the people. Unlike Egyptian pyramids, these were temples rather than burial places for kings. This difference also highlights the significant variation in the time periods during which tombs were constructed in Egypt and Maya. With a vast differential of thousands of centuries, it is possible that belief in an afterlife had considerably reduced given man’s spiritual evolution. Nevertheless, both cultures offered their pyramids to God as a symbol of their devotion.
The construction of the pyramids, as rising monuments, also indicates an attempt to reach for the skies. This is evident in both cultures. While the Egyptian pyramid has a smooth surface, its rising was only symbolic. In contrast, the Mayan structure’s staircases formed on the pyramid indicate that it was meant to be a pathway to heaven or towards God. The top of the Egyptian pyramids is said to have been embellished with gold, denoting a superior offering to God and covering the pharaoh’s resting place with precious metal. The Mayan pyramid typically has a temple on top; thus, while the concept remains similar, there is distinct architectural variation.
The placing of a shrine on top of the pyramid also indicates that the Mayans desired common access to these structures. In some ways, it denotes a distinct phase of human evolution. The society in Mayan times had perhaps become more egalitarian as years passed, thus granting access to places of high religious significance like pyramids to the masses. On the other hand, set some 2000 years before, the Egyptians denoted that only pharaohs would have access to pyramids as they considered only kings closer to God. One interpretation is that the Pharaoh had divine right to communicate with God and thus access the highest structure on top.
Some interpret the building of tombs as a sign of over-involvement with the ritual of death. This is evident from the elaborate preparations made for the resting place of pharaohs in Egypt, as well as kings in Mayan times. However, this may not be a correct interpretation.
The resplendent surroundings in which kings were laid to rest signified that even in death, they would continue to have all their needs met. In the case of Egyptians, who were symbols of rebirth, there are strong grounds to believe that adorning and stocking pyramids with food and treasures was meant to provide maximum succor to the soul after rebirth.
The highly developed form of architecture in ancient times is perhaps the most significant information that can be derived from the construction of pyramids in both cultures. That man was enterprising enough to sustain the construction and development of pyramids was a singular and unique feature of those times (Lelmer, 1997). The construction also signifies not just proficiency in architecture but highly developed skills in other sciences such as mathematics, writing, and preservation. These essential facets of ancient Egyptian and Maya cultures are frequently ignored while focusing on their ritualistic proclivities and spiritual customs which, though unique, were supported by developments in science.
Another significant deduction arising from the construction of the pyramids in both civilizations is that these gigantic structures represented high points in prosperity and development. They were monuments to the power, well-being, and divinity of the state and its kings. Therefore, studying these monuments provides a distinct view of the development of civilizations during specific periods of time.
References:
1. Coe, Michael D. (1999). The Maya. New York: Thames & Hudson.
2. Hawas, Zahi and Mubarak, Suzanne H. E. (2003). The Treasures of the Pyramids.
Cairo: American University in Cairo Press.
3. Lelmer, Mark. (1997). The Complete Pyramids: Solving the Ancient Mysteries. London: Thames & Hudson.
