Pyramid (disambiguation) facts for kids

A pyramid is a special kind of building or shape. It has a flat base, usually square or triangular. Its sides are triangles that all meet at a single point at the top. Think of a tent or a slice of cheese that's pointy!

What is a Pyramid?

The word "pyramid" can mean a few different things. Most often, it makes us think of the huge ancient buildings in Egypt. But it's also a shape you can find in math and even how some groups of people are organized.

Pyramids in Geometry

In math, a pyramid is a 3D shape. It has a base that can be any polygon, like a square, triangle, or hexagon. From each side of the base, triangular faces rise up. These triangular faces all meet at one point, called the apex.

• A pyramid with a square base is the most common type.
• If the base is a triangle, it's called a tetrahedron.
• Pyramids are part of a group of shapes called polyhedra.

Pyramids as Buildings

Many ancient civilizations built structures shaped like pyramids. These buildings were often very large and important. They were used for different purposes, like tombs for kings or temples for gods. The most famous pyramids are found in Egypt and Central America.

Famous Pyramids Around the World

Pyramids have been built by people in many different parts of the world. Each culture had its own reasons for building them and its own style.

The Great Pyramids of Egypt

The most famous pyramids are the Egyptian pyramids. They are ancient stone structures built in Egypt. Most of them were built as tombs for the pharaohs. A pharaoh was the ruler of ancient Egypt. The pyramids were meant to protect the pharaoh's body and belongings for the afterlife.

The largest and most famous Egyptian pyramid is the Great Pyramid of Giza. It was built for Pharaoh Khufu.

• It is located near Cairo, the capital of Egypt.
• For thousands of years, it was the tallest building in the world.
• It is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

How Were Pyramids Built?

Building the pyramids was a huge task. It took many years and thousands of workers. They used massive stone blocks, some weighing many tons. Workers had to cut these blocks from quarries. Then, they moved them across the desert and lifted them into place.

• Historians believe workers used ramps to drag the heavy stones up the pyramid.
• They used simple tools like ropes, levers, and sleds.
• The precision of the pyramids shows how skilled the ancient Egyptians were.

Why Were Pyramids Built?

Egyptian pharaohs believed in an afterlife. They thought their spirits would live on after they died. Pyramids were built to be grand tombs. They held the pharaoh's body, which was mummified to preserve it. The pyramids also contained treasures and items the pharaoh might need in the afterlife.

• The pharaohs were seen as gods on Earth.
• Their tombs were designed to be strong and secure.
• Many pyramids had hidden passages and chambers to protect the burial site.

Pyramids in Other Cultures

While Egypt has the most famous pyramids, other civilizations also built them.

• Mesoamerican Pyramids: In places like Mexico and Central America, ancient civilizations such as the Maya and Aztecs built pyramids. These were often used as temples for religious ceremonies. They usually had flat tops where temples stood, unlike the pointy Egyptian pyramids.
• Chinese Pyramids: Some ancient Chinese emperors also built large burial mounds that are sometimes called pyramids. These are often made of earth and look more like hills.

Other Ways We Use the Word "Pyramid"

The word "pyramid" can also describe things that are not buildings or shapes.

Pyramid as a Hierarchy

Sometimes, "pyramid" describes a way that groups or organizations are structured. This is called a hierarchy.

• Imagine a company where one person is at the top.
• Below them are a few managers.
• Below the managers are many more employees.
• This structure looks like a pyramid, with fewer people at the top and more people at the bottom.
• Governments, schools, and businesses often have a pyramid-like structure.

Images for kids

• 

  A robot, sometimes used to represent technology.

See also

In Spanish: Pyramid (desambiguación) para niños