Many buildings of the B.C past are known to posses "mystical powers". These "mystical powers" as I call them, till now still amaze the common minds of the people today; in terms of engineering, construction, architecture, religious symbolism and most of all, its main purpose (Or why it was built). Unlike articles that talks about the wonder's engineering and construction feats, this article is different... This article compares the main differences of two greatest mind-boggling wonders; the Pyramids of Egypt and the Ziggurats (Mainly in Mesopotamia). Now supposedly, how are they different?

Appearance

People tend to judge anything from their first glance... Now this is one topic that every being will simply write about if they were asked to do a comparison between the two. Perhaps the most distinguishing difference is that the Ziggurats have tapered walls at the base and some at the upper parts of the temple, and have certain set-backs spaced proportionately as it tapers upwards. The Pyramids have nothing but built with many huge blocks stacked and tapered upwards to form a simple geometrical 4 sided triangular form. One of the other perhaps known features that the ziggurats have is the long staircases that lead from the lowest part of the grounds to the highest part of the temple. Those are just what it is seen and being explained from many people's point of view.

So much for its looks and appearance of what it's seen to many. We now go in-depth of the Ziggurats and the Pyramids; as great Kings and people have built them for various reasons...

Functions, Rituals & Significance

This section of the article explains the functions, events, rituals and the uses of the Ziggurats and the Pyramids. It has been broken down to sub-section topics for easier reading.

The Pyramids of Egypt
Talk about Pyramid power, the pyramids are generally best known by archeologists for its deep-kept (Or maybe secret) burial chambers that are located either right in the middle, or near the pinnacle point of the pyramid. Unlike the Ziggurats, these monumental pyramids were made to bury great rulers and Kings that ever came to power to rule the entire land of Egypt. Many archeologists believe that the pyramids posses spiritual powers that can help not decay the mummies in the tombs for many centuries. It's also believed that whoever dared to pry open the Kings' tombs will be cursed, die and have their bodies wither away immediately. The Kings were also buried together with expensive treasures, adorned on their bodies and outside the tomb. The treasures were placed so that the Kings can take their godly possessions and treasures to their next life.

If you were to study the Map of the Giza pyramid complex, many of the pyramids were arranged symbolically to the alignment of the stars. In my opinion, the placement of the pyramids requires vast knowledge about astrology and cosmology; and I firmly believe the planning was arranged and influenced of how the famous yet mysterious Orion's Belt was located. Interesting huh? I think I should probably read up about astrology! Were the Ziggurats also influenced by astrology and cosmology?

The Ziggurats of Mesopotamia
In Mesopotamia, the Ziggurats were considered the most sacred of sacred of all buildings. If you were to study its name, "Ziggurat" is coined as a term to "build on a raised ground". Long ago as in that century, faith and religion were the strongest factors in the ancient World, so therefore in my own design opinion, most religious buildings were built on high ground, as the term goes, "build on high to reach the heavens". Most of these Ziggurats are found in Iran at top of a high ground. It is also believed that a shrine exists at the top of every Ziggurat.

Unlike the Egyptians with their way of belief (Their use of the Pyramids in this case) the ziggurats were not treated as places of ceremonies and events, a burial ground for Kings or keeping treasures, the Mesopotamians created these monuments, and considered by them as dwelling places for their Gods. In my thinking I believe that only high priests are allowed to enter; only people who are highly regarded in their faith are allowed to enter such sacred dwellings, where they believe their God dwells. Again, in my opinion, with this level of hierarchy at that frame of time, priests were considered one of the most powerful members of the Mesopotamian culture.

In Contrast...

So to sum everything all up in this article; in appearance wise, the Ziggurats has a level of set-backs, which sets a level of hierarchy to reach the top of the Ziggurat, whilst the pyramid is a simple geometrical shape built with huge stone blocks. The Egyptians built pyramids in such a way aligned to the cosmological theory and beliefs to bury their Pharaohs and Kings that ruled Egypt, together with the possessions to take them to their next life. And the Mesopotamians built Ziggurats for sacred practices, and for their God to dwell upon.

Map of the Giza pyramid