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A pyramid is a geometric shape formed by connecting a polygonal base and a point called the apex by triangular faces. When unspecified the base is usually assumed to be square. One of the
platonic solids, the tetrahedron, is a triangular pyramid. The square and pentagonal pyramids can also be constructed with all faces
regular, and so count among the Johnson solids. All pyramids are
self-dual. The volume of a pyramid is A × h / 3, where A is the area
of the base and h the height from the base to the apex.
Structures
Pyramid-shaped structures were built by many ancient societies. The most famous are those in Ancient Egypt, where huge pyramids built of stone were used as tombs for pharaohs. The Great Pyramid of Giza is one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and the only one of the seven to survive into modern times. The
ancient Egyptians smoothed the faces of their pyramids with gold and marble, though some of the stones used for the purpose have
fallen out over the centuries.
To the south of Egypt the Nubians also built pyramids. They built far more than the
Egyptians, but they are much smaller. The Nubian pyramids were constucted at a much steeper angle than Egyptian ones and were not
tombs, but monuments to dead kings. Pyramids were built in Nubia up until the 300s AD.
The Mesopotamians also built pyramids called ziggurats, with a distinct series of layers. In ancient times these were brightly painted. Since they were
constructed of mud-brick, little remains of them. The biblical Tower of
Babel is believed to be a Babylonian ziggurat.
A number of Mesoamerican cultures also built pyramid-shaped structures.
These were also usually stepped, with temples on top, more similar to the Mesoptamian ziggurat than the Egyptian pyramid. The
largest pyramid by volume is that of Cholula, Mexico.
There are other pyramid-shaped ancient monuments found in Central
America and parts of Asia.
Esotericism
Glass pyramid, built as a feature and as an entrance to the Louvre Art Gallery, Paris, France
Esotericists have attributed remarkable properties ("pyramid power") to the pyramid shape and remarkable histories to historical
pyramid buildings. The Great Pyramid of Giza has
attracted special interest.
The pyramid shape is alleged, among other things, to keep razor blades sharp and to prevent meat from decaying. Researchers
adhering to strict scientific standards have not substantiated these claims.
Related
Hierarchical structure
The hierarchical structures of some organizations are sometimes
described as pyramids. This often includes sports league
systems.
Game show
Pyramid is the name of a
game show currently in syndication.
Novel
Pyramids is a Discworld novel by Terry Pratchett; see Pyramids (Discworld).
Album
Pyramid is a concept album by the Alan Parsons Project, released in 1978.
Magazine
Pyramid
is an online magazine publishing role-playing and other game articles, published by Steve Jackson Games.
External links
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