The Americas, a vast expanse stretching from the chilly Arctic of the north to the frigid climes of the southern tip of Argentina and Chile, are home to an astonishing archaeological wealth: numerous pyramids, far surpassing the number found in the rest of the world combined. Most people immediately think of ancient Egypt when pyramids are mentioned, but the American continents actually contain almost 2,000 various types of these monumental structures.
The diversity and number of pyramids in North, Central, and South America highlight the rich, varied cultural and religious practices of their builders. In North America, the ancient civilizations, particularly the Mississippian culture, constructed pyramid-like structures called mounds, which were primarily earthen and served as large ceremonial and political centers. The most notable among these is Monks Mound at Cahokia, near present-day St. Louis, Missouri, which covers over 14 acres.
Moving south into Central America, the Maya, Aztecs, and other civilizations elevated pyramid-building to impressive heights. The Maya, known for their astronomical and calendrical systems, built pyramids like El Castillo at Chichen Itza which served both as temples and as astronomical observatories. The Aztecs, on the other hand, constructed their Templo Mayor in the heart of today’s Mexico City as a dual temple dedicated to the god of rain and the god of warfare.
In South America, the Moche, Inca, and other civilizations also constructed pyramid-like structures. The Moche are known for their adobe pyramids like the Huaca del Sol in Peru, constructed from millions of mud bricks. The Incas, with their advanced understanding of stonework, built religious sanctuaries atop steep Andean mountains, such as the iconic Machu Picchu, which some historians categorize as a type of pyramid because of its terraced structure.
The sheer number of pyramids in the Americas speaks to a complex phenomenon involving astronomy, religion, and sociopolitical organization stretching across different epochs and civilizations. Each pyramid tells a story of the people who built it: their beliefs, their social structures, and their interactions with their environment. Understanding these pyramids helps in appreciating not just the architectural prowess but also the deep cultural significance that these structures held for the civilizations that built them. Despite their variety, all these structures encapsulate a common theme—their builders aspired to reach the skies and bring themselves closer to their gods, embedding their devotees' aspirations in stone and earth that would stand the test of time.
