In terms of building location, ziggurats were mostly built somewhere within the Ancient Mesopotamian region (Sumer, Babylon & Assyria) corresponding to modern-day Iraq and part of Syria whereas pyramids were the infrastructures built in Ancient Egypt and South American regions. Other functions of the ziggurat are the following: a retreat area for the priests in case there is a sudden overflow of water at the ground level, for the overall security of the kingdom’s priests, and it also serves to complete an elaborate temple complex with dwelling places, storage areas and courtyards to name a few. ![]() In this regard, it is not a surprise that only the priests were allowed to get inside the ziggurats. Thus, they are the actual dwelling places of the gods themselves especially in the point of view of the Sumerians and Babylonians. Ziggurats on the other hand were said to have been built to house the gods. Pyramids were originally thought to be the final resting places of the pharaohs but more recent archaeological finds have uncovered that they were built with very narrow shafts extending from the inside to the outer surface for the purpose of lifting the pharaoh’s soul unto the heavens. It is believed that in addition to the mathematical understandings represented in the geometric form of the pyramids, an impressively accurate understanding of the earth is depicted in the dimensions of the Great Pyramid of Gizah.Ziggurats and pyramids greatly differ in terms of purpose or function. It may sound simple, but the designs of the pyramids represent a complex understanding of mathematical principles, such as trigonometry and the Fibonocci series, by the ancient Egyptians. A pyramid has four triangular sides that come together at point on top. Advancements in available technologies and construction techniques in the later dynasties of ancient Egypt allowed for pyramids to be constructed with less of a stepping slop. The pyramids of the early dynasties were of a more stepped pyramid form, similar in appearance to the ziggurats of Mesopotamia. The intended uses of these structures then introduces some similarities in relation to the religious symbolism of the structures.Ĭonsidered to be among the greatest wonders of the known world, The Pyramids of Egypt were built with exacting precision from granite blocks. ![]() Contrasts in the decorations of the two types of structures are then discussed. In order to clearly describe how different these two structures are, I have summarized some information about their designs and the materials used to build them. Among the differences are their intended usage, how they were decorated, their designs, and the materials used in their construction. ![]() Some other similarities shared by these two types of structures can be interpreted from the context of the religions of those who had them erected and what role they served for the society. The two structures actually only appear to be similar. When comparing The Great Pyramids of Egypt with The Ziggurats of Mesopotamia, the differences between them are more apparent than the similarities that they share. Pyramids and ziggurats both provide archeologists with a great deal of information about the ancient cultures that constructed them.
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