South American pyramids. Mayan pyramids: amazing buildings of ancient people

  • 27.11.2019
Mayan pyramids- ancient pyramids, created by the civilization of the ancient Maya Indians. They are located mainly in Mexico on the Yucatan Peninsula. There are quite a few pyramids in Mexico. Many of them are buried under a layer of earth, covered with dense tropical vegetation and are simply green hills. Most of the pyramids are multi-layered structures. The most ancient pyramid located inside, and above it there are several later superstructures and claddings.

The pyramids in Mexico are not only the creation of the Maya, there are also pyramids of other civilizations. Some pyramids have a double structure, which consist of two pyramids: the Mayan pyramids and the Aztec pyramids, located one inside the other, like a nesting doll. The oldest pyramidal structures were found in the capital of the Toltecs - Tula, they are surrounded by strange multi-ton stone heads of mysterious creatures. The pyramids of Teotihuacan, the capital of the Aztecs, are also known. In Teotihuacan, two of the largest pyramids are well preserved - the Sun (225 m at the base and 65 m in height) and the Moon (about 150 m at the base and 42 m in height), as well as the temple of the most "popular" of the Mayan gods - Quetzalcoatl , personifying a good and bright beginning. The structures are located in the same way as the three stars in Orion's Belt.

Another famous pyramid - the Cholula pyramid - is the largest in the world, in terms of volume it surpassed the Cheops pyramid. Now most of the pyramid has been destroyed and is a hill overgrown with forest, on top of which there is a Catholic church. Another impressive group of pyramids - Mitle and Monte Alban - is located near the city of Oaxaca.

The most famous Mayan pyramids are located on the Yucatan Peninsula. These are the pyramids in Chichen Itza, Tulum, Kobe, Ek-Balam and Uxmal.

Chichen Itza is known for its pyramid of Kukulkan (as it is called in the Mayan language) or the pyramid of Quetzalcoatl (the same in the Toltec language). This Mayan pyramid even entered the new list of the seven wonders of the world. Chichen Itza is whole city, which at first belonged to the Maya, then the Toltecs, and then the Aztecs. And although today a significant part of the Chichen Itza(more than six square kilometers), still a lot of buildings have not been excavated. In addition to the pyramid of Quetzalcoatl, here you will see the Ballroom, the Temple of the Warriors, the Group of a Thousand Columns, the Ancient Observatory, the Temple of Skulls.

The Tulum Pyramids are located approximately an hour and a half drive from Cancun. The complex in Tulum opens for tourists to visit at 8 or 8:30 am. The pyramids here are not as majestic and mysterious as the pyramids in Chichen Itza, but here it is very beautiful and the sea is not far away.

Palenque, Mayan city in Chiapas state.

Unique pyramids in mexico are a real architectural wonder. They are large, majestic and very beautiful. Millions of travelers from different parts of the world come to America for only one thing - to see the legendary buildings that were erected hundreds and even thousands of years ago. Mexico beckons our compatriots, anyone can order the excursion tour right now.

Palenque is an ancient Mayan city that is included in the 5-day itinerary.

Top pyramid facts

There are many legends associated with the Mexican pyramids. Often, architectural structures did not function as tombs and tombs of local rulers, but served as a place where the most important religious rites were carried out. Here, on the altar, large sacrifices were often carried out, in which not only animals, but also people became victims.

The mistletoe tribes were the first to build such structures - representatives of the first large civilization on the territory ancient mexico... They designed the giant heads and jadeite masks. Later, only after a couple of centuries, the era of the dawn of the Mayan civilization began. Some vibrant masterpieces ancient architecture survived to our time. The majestic abandoned towns are popular with tourists. Architectural style Mayan pyramids practically has no analogues.

Tulum - seaport Mayan.

Famous scientists tried to unravel the secrets of the ancient inhabitants of modern Central America... It was not possible to do this completely. Travelers are delighted to listen to various amazing legends.
Where are the Mayan pyramids in Mexico? There are several hundred similar buildings throughout the country, but only a few of them can be touched by everyone. Some cultural monuments are still hidden in the deep jungle.

Most popular pyramids

  • Teotikuan

This ancient "City of the Gods" (this is how the word "Teotikuan" is translated) can actually be found 50 kilometers from the largest metropolis in the country - Mexico City. The first stones were laid around the beginning of the first millennium. Already in the 5th century AD, more than 200,000 people lived here. The main cultural monument the settlement is considered to be the Pyramid of the Sun. This name was invented by the Aztecs, who saw the abandoned city in the 13th century. They believed that here the gods were fed by the energy of the cosmos. Travelers have a unique opportunity to enjoy the most beautiful view. This pyramid is the third highest in the world. Anyone can climb to its top.

  • Chichen Itza

Pyramids in Yucatan are also very popular with tourists. The ancient city of Chichen Itza is located about 200 kilometers from the Cancun resort. This village was founded in the 6th century, and after a while it became a real cultural and political center. Several architectural monuments open before the eyes of tourists, which were found as a result archaeological site... This city is included in the list of the new seven wonders of the world. The most famous pyramid in Yucatan the temple structure of Kulkan is considered, the height of the building is 24 meters, at the top there is special place for various rituals. In ancient times, the building also served as a calendar.


The descent of the serpent's shadow at Chichen Itza is visible only on the days of the equinox

Features of the best excursion programs

Mexico - this is an amazing land, where when traveling to Yucatan or to another region of the country, you will see how pyramids, so enjoy the unique local culture. The following tourist routes are very popular:

  1. Mexico City and Teotihuacan Pyramids.

During the tour, you will visit the multi-million dollar capital of Mexico and then travel to the archaeological site of Teotihuacan. For those coming to Mexico City for just a couple of days, this is ideal. The whole program will take only 8 hours.


  1. "Bold Tour" in Mexico.

The duration of this adventure is two days. Tourists will enjoy the ancient city of Chichen Itza, observe the life of animals in biosphere reserve Rio Lagartos, visit the colonial city of Merida and swim in the cool waters of Ik Kiel.

  1. Chichen Itza Joint Program.

This tour allows tourists to see ancient cities Mayan, find out what is Mexico from the inside, as well as see the most popular Attraction... You will visit the most famous places in the Yucatan Peninsula. Among them are Chichen Itza, the lost village of Kobu, the port of Tulum and the underground lake Ik Kil. Such a trip will only take one day!

Useful information for tourists

You can order your favorite tour at any convenient time. Be sure to come to Mexico and visit our pyramids. You can ask any questions you are interested in and clarify all the necessary information on the site. Tours run weekly, book your spot and go meet for an amazing adventure!

Friends! If you have any questions - do not hesitate! - ask them in the comments below or write to me in social networks!

The Mayan pyramids are ancient pyramids made by the civilization of the ancient Maya Indians, which are located mostly in the area of ​​Mexico on the Yucatan Peninsula. There are quite a few pyramids in Mexico. Almost all are under a layer of earth, covered with densely growing tropical plants, and are green hills. Most of pyramids are multi-layered structures. The oldest pyramid is located inside, and above it are several of the latest cladding-superstructures and is not at all similar to the known one.

The pyramids in Mexico seem to be not only the work of the Maya, there are also pyramids of other civilizations that are wonders of the world, so in fact.

Some of the pyramids contain a double structure, consisting of 2 pyramids: the Aztec pyramids and the Mayan pyramids, are located like a nesting doll - one inside the other. Ancient pyramidal structures were found in the capital of the Toltecs - Tula, they are surrounded by unusual multi-ton heads made of stones of mysterious creatures.

The pyramids of Teotihuacan, the capital of the Aztecs, are also known. In Teotihuacan, the 2nd largest pyramids- the Sun, 225 m. Wide and 65 m. High; and the Moon, 150 m. Wide and 42 m. High. Also the temple of the most famous of the Mayan gods - Quetzalcoatl, who inspired a light and good beginning. The structures are positioned in the same way as the three stars in Orion's belt.

Another no less famous pyramid in Cholula is the largest in the world, in terms of its volume it surpassed the pyramid of Cheops. Now, most of the pyramid is subject to destruction and is a hill overgrown with forest, on top of which there is a Catholic church. Another spectacular group of pyramids - Mitle and Monte Alban, is located near the town of Oaxaca.

The most famous Mayan pyramids are located on the Yucatan Peninsula - these are the pyramids in Kobe, Chichen Itza, Uxmal, Tulum, Kobe and Ek Balam.

Chichen Itza is known for the pyramid of Kukulkan (as it is called in the Mayan language) or the pyramid of Quetzalcoatl (in the Toltec language). It was this Mayan pyramid that entered the new list of the seven wonders of the world. Chichen Itza - Big city, which first belonged to the Maya, then the Toltecs, and then the Aztecs.

And although today a significant part of Chichen Itza (6 square km) is revealed to tourists, dozens of structures have not yet been excavated. In addition to the pyramid of Quetzalcoatl, here you will see a field for a toy ball, a group of thousands of columns, a temple of warriors, the oldest observatory, Temple of Skulls.

Ancient civilizations are so mysterious and interesting, which is why the Mayan pyramids haunt a huge number of scientists. Ancient riddles are gradually unraveling, allowing you to learn new facts.

Everything connected with the Mayan civilization is of a mysterious nature, what is only their calendar, which excited the whole world with predictions about the end of the world (thank God that nothing came true)! Now not about that, the object of our attention was the Mayan pyramids, which are considered one of the wonders of the world.

Every year, millions of tourists from all over the world flock to Mexico to touch ancient history, and scientists continue their discussions regarding the main purpose, age, construction methods and other aspects of these buildings.

How old are the Mayan pyramids, and why were they built?


Numerous studies of ancient buildings have not yielded results and it was not possible to determine their exact age. If we focus on the decryptions obtained thanks to the Mayan texts, then most of the buildings were built about 3 thousand years ago. There are a huge number of theories explaining the appearance of the Mayan tribes and their cities: this is a kind of union of different peoples of the Old World or a people created by extraterrestrial civilizations.


If earlier it was believed that the pyramids were erected solely by the will of the rulers or high priests, then after a thorough study of the structures and the assessment of the quality of building materials, it was concluded that the pyramid-temples could also be erected by rural communities in honor of some deity.

What is amazing about the Mayan pyramids?


The most noteworthy is the pyramid of Kukulkan, consisting of nine platforms, which are surrounded by stairs around the entire perimeter. On each side there are 91 steps, which gives a total of 364, and this number is equal to the number of days in a year. At the same time, the wide staircases are divided into 18 flights, which correspond to the month of the year, because there were exactly 18 months in the Mayan calendar.

The staircase is unusual, because when looking at it from below, perspective is not felt, and it seems that the width of all steps is the same. This is explained by the fact that the staircase expands upward so as to accurately compensate for the effect of perspective. Scientists are amazed by the following facts: how could it be calculated in those days?


It is worth paying attention and accurate geographic location pyramid, the sides of which look strictly to the four cardinal points. The structure has nine terraces that correspond to areas of the kingdom of the dead.

The pyramid of Kukulkan was erected in honor of the feathered serpent, as evidenced by the two serpentine heads located at the foot. Associated with the snake is one interesting hairdryer that attracts millions of tourists. Thanks to the play of the refractions of the sun's rays, for three hours you can observe the image of an evil snake with an open mouth, which moves from the foot to the top. People who believe in magic are sure that this deity is giving a sign to people.


Scientists are perplexed about where such an ideal design calculation comes from, since even a minimal deviation could completely destroy the original idea. Only with highly qualified topographers and astronomers can this effect be achieved. Incidentally, this is not the only example of inexplicable "light shows". There is a famous temple of the seven dolls, named after the decorative figures on the walls. Here, on the day of the vernal equinox, the sun shines through through two windows located on opposite walls of the temple.


The pyramid, located in the city of Chichen Itza, still has unique acoustic properties. While inside the structure, you can hear the sounds of the sacred bird instead of the usual steps on the stairs. Scientists believe that this effect is due to the specific thickness of the walls.


The site, located between the temples, makes it possible to communicate at a distance of 150 m, but the sounds made by people are not audible to others if they are not standing next to the conversation. Here is such a stone phone. How it was invented by the Maya, or this effect - a common coincidence, has not yet been determined. But the most shocking discovery is yet to come.

Evidence of the participation of alien civilizations in the creation of the Mayan pyramids

The huge size of the pyramid, accurate calculations, inexplicable phenomena - all this gives some ground for considering the version of the involvement of extraterrestrial civilizations. What are the drawings found by scientists in the pyramids? It is inconceivable, but a fact - they represent creatures that outwardly resemble aliens in spacesuits.




How in those days could the Maya have known about this protective suit? Deciphering of hieroglyphs and various historical sources showed that these painted creatures ancient civilization considered her gods.

The next unexplained phenomenon, which really shocked many scientists, was discovered at the largest pyramid of Teotihuacan.


A layer of mica measuring seven centimeters was found between its two levels. Two more such slabs were found under dilapidated buildings located at the entrance to temple complex.


Today this material is used as an electrical insulator because it retains fast neutrons well. In addition, crystals are capable of storing and transmitting large amounts of information and storing energy. Many people wonder what they were for and how the Maya used them.

If you doubt that this ancient civilization has a connection with aliens, then here is another shocking and inexplicable fact. There is a legend that the gods gave people 13 sacred crystal skulls, and if you put them together, you can gain power over time and communicate with the Higher powers.

In 1927, archaeologists discovered in ancient city Mayan skull made of polished quartz. I was surprised by the level of processing that is inaccessible even to modern technologies. Its age is 5-35 thousand years, and its weight is 5 kg. A system of lenses and prisms is built into the eye sockets of the skull, which cause unusual optical effects.

The following information is not for the faint of heart, because in the same place the expedition found decapitated skeletons on the stands of the amphitheater. Moreover, when the archaeologists took the unique skull, the members of the expedition began to disappear every night, and they were found in the headless amphitheater. These are real facts, not fairy tales.

Throughout the year, scientists have discovered several more similar skulls in different pyramids. There is a version that they are parts of some kind of installation that made it possible for the priests to communicate with the spirits.

This is not all that suggests an idea of ​​participation in the creation of the Mayan pyramids of aliens. Using new technologies, scientists were able to explore underground corridors that are located in the Temple of the Sun. Through them you can go to an unusual cave, which has the shape of a chamber with four petals. Now get ready - there, scientists have discovered parts of mirrors and a powerful drainage cooling system, to create which the ancient people would not have had enough intelligence or strength.



Such equipment suggests that the Mayan pyramids still had a technical purpose, for example, they were stations for alien ships. It is worth mentioning here another unusual fact: if you look at the pyramid of the Sun and its surroundings from a bird's eye view, the arrangement of all objects resembles a computer motherboard.
It turns out that the complex of buildings is part of a giant machine capable of performing complex tasks for the benefit of alien beings.

Research continues, therefore, perhaps in the very near future we will receive new evidence that other civilizations exist and actively interact with our world.

Pyramids are one of the outstanding mysteries of mankind. Engineers are still amazed at the scale and complexity of the work, and historians cannot understand what exactly pushed the ancient peoples to erect these structures. Also, there are still disputes about the true purpose of these monuments of ancient architecture. Some believe that the structures of Yucatan and Egypt are related, but this is not so. This is indicated by both the age of the pyramids and the aspects of their construction.

Egypt

The Great Pyramid, located on the Giza plateau in Egypt, has long amazed the imagination of all explorers and ordinary tourists. In general, the same can be said about her "sisters". Despite the seismic activity of the construction site over the past thousands of years, these amazing and bizarre monuments of ancient culture are surprisingly well preserved.

Scientists suggest that in the past there were many more pyramids, but ... But then the Romans came. Rome's First Rule - More good roads! After all, it is so convenient to transfer new legions over them! So, a large part of the "middle class" pyramids turned into the material of the Roman road builders. Today tourists and locals who still use ancient roads, "knead" the remains of ancient buildings!

The first of the pyramids and its age

It is impossible to discuss without telling about the time when the first such structure was erected in Egypt. It is believed that this happened about five thousand years ago, and construction was started on the initiative of Pharaoh Djoser. It is in these five thousand years that the total age of the pyramids in Egypt is estimated. By the way, the famous Imhotep supervised the construction. He was such a good "contractor" that in later centuries the grateful Egyptians even deified him.

Caring for relatives

At that time, the building area was huge - 545 by 278 meters. The perimeter of this structure was protected by a wall with a height of ten meters at once, in which 14 gates were made at once ... of which only one was real. In addition to himself, Djoser ordered to take care of the afterlife of his family members: for this, the builders prepared 11 additional smaller burial chambers.

The Djoser pyramid is not only considered the most ancient in Egypt, but also the most unique, as its sides represent a "staircase" that can be seen on structures in the center of Yucatan. There is no need to look for mystical coincidences here, since in both cases such a construction had a sacred meaning, implying the ascent of the ruler to heaven.

How old are the structures on the Giza plateau?

It is believed that age Egyptian pyramids on the Giza plateau is equal to 4.5 thousand years. But with the dating of many structures, difficulties arise, since they were partially rebuilt, restored, and therefore even a radiocarbon analysis cannot give absolutely accurate answers. The rest of the pyramids, presumably, were built during the time of the Old Kingdom - about 2300 BC. NS.

To this day, 80 pyramids have survived on the territory of Egypt, and the most beautiful are those that remained after the fourth dynasty. But since ancient times, only three are considered a real Wonder of the World. Their names are known to everyone - the pyramid of Cheops, Khafren and Mikerin. The age of the Cheops pyramid and the other two are about four thousand years, which cannot but surprise.

Pyramids of mexico

The Mexican pyramids are an equally impressive and majestic monument to human architecture and incredibly hard work. To this day, they amaze everyone who saw them, and even at the time of the first discovery, the impression was ten times higher!

They were erected by the Aztecs, Toltecs, Mayans and some other South American peoples. Scientists sometimes find it very difficult to understand all this "vinaigrette", since almost all written sources of these cultures were destroyed during the Spanish conquest. But what about the age of the pyramids, which were erected by the ancestors of modern inhabitants Latin America? First, you need to familiarize yourself a little with the history of those peoples who lived here.

The Cuicuilco civilization flourished here most vividly. The peak of its maximum power falls on the period from 1500 to 200 BC. Why are we all talking about this? The fact is that the largest and most impressive pyramid of Cuicuilco was built at this time ( South part Mexico City). Moreover, the structure is unique, since its cross-section ... is round, perfectly fitting into the surrounding landscape.

How was Cuicuilco's pyramid forgotten?

But scientists did not find it right away. When at the beginning of our era there was a grandiose eruption of the Shitle volcano, this unique one was completely buried under a layer of ash, lava and tuff. Only in 1917, during an archaeological survey, scientists accidentally discovered this pyramid.

The eruption of the same volcano put an end to the development of civilization in this region, and therefore no other magnificent architectural monuments were found here. If we talk about modern ideas, then the inhabitants who left these places became the "foundation" of the Teotihuacan people, who also built their pyramids.

Pyramids of other nations

The civilization of Teotihuacan dates back to 200 BC. The same approximate age of the pyramids in that region. This people existed until 700 AD. The place they chose for themselves is known all over the world today. Teotihuacan. Incidentally, this name was given by the Aztecs, who came here a thousand years later. What this area was originally called, we do not know today. So when were the majestic pyramids erected here, which still amaze the imagination today?

Who exactly built them is not entirely clear today: either the Teotihuacan people themselves, or the Aztecs who came to replace them. The latter had a legend that the three great pyramids were actually built by giants. So, three structures. Three pyramids: Solar, Lunar and Quetzalcoatl. The latter, by the way, is the most beautiful and majestic. It is believed that they were built somewhere around 500 BC. NS.

What caused the city to be abandoned?

So the age of the pyramids at Giza is much older. Most likely, initially there were much more monuments of ancient architecture in these parts, but the whole thing was spoiled by volcanoes. Under a thick layer of solidified lava, a lot of interesting things are probably hidden, but we are unlikely to ever see it. The ongoing excavations clearly indicate that the construction of the city was carried out according to a very strict and logically completed plan. Scientists suggest that the city was inhabited by about 200 thousand people! And this is even before the beginning of our era!

Today they are "accused" of destroying the city and part of the pyramids as some natural disasters and social split, when the numerous poor people are simply tired of enduring the ever-increasing arbitrariness on the part of the highest nobility. The city of Teotihuacan was savagely plundered and destroyed. But both hypotheses are very controversial, since no evidence of violence was found, and as for the looting, anyone could have done it. If the city was abandoned for some reason, then neighboring peoples can also be blamed. They clearly would not have passed such a "tasty" piece.

What is the difference between the Egyptian and Mexican pyramids?

Many believe that they are practically identical, and due to this, they put forward different (in the degree of absurdity) theories about the Atlanteans and "heavenly descendants" who fled from the cataclysm, but this is not the case. The pyramids of Egypt and Mexico are similar only externally (and even then relatively), but in all other respects they have a lot of differences.

Firstly, in Egypt, these buildings were absolutely smooth, while the Aztecs, Toltecs and Mayans built them in steps from the beginning. Secondly, the pharaohs considered the pyramids exclusively as their resting place from earthly troubles, and in Mexico they used the pyramids exclusively as temples, and even carried out very bloody rituals of sacrifices there.

Other differences

Third, the tops of structures in South America- completely flat, since it was there that the priests did their bloody work. Moreover, there is also an additional building there, which actually served as a temple and a “slaughterhouse” in combination. In principle, one can also climb to the top of the Egyptian pyramid, but it is impossible to do something there due to the banal lack of space.

Fourth, the age of the Mayan and Egyptian pyramids. In Mexico, almost all of these buildings were erected literally at the beginning of our era, while the tombs of the pharaohs were built three to four thousand years before our era.

Fans of conspiracy theories may argue that all this is nothing, because the main characteristic of these structures, that is, the pyramidal shape, is the same in all cases. But this is not an argument, since such forms are found in nature, and a gap of several thousand years allows us to assume that the Toltecs or Maya themselves reached the most convenient form of their temples.

What is the basis for determining the age of the pyramids?

So how is the science of the Egyptian pyramids and their Mexican "cousins"? On the basis of which they began to actively use it only in 1984. At that time, Egyptologists examined at least 64 samples of organic matter from the pyramids. Measurements showed that many of the structures on the Giza plateau were 400 years older than previously thought. However, some of them were older than "only" by 120 years, but even this in some cases may turn out to be significant.

After that, the pyramids of Giza, whose age turned out to be much more than the "official" values, began to attract even more researchers from all over the world. However, this circumstance did not cool the heated debates about the nature of these structures.

So, it was reliably established that the pyramid of Cheops was built no earlier than 2985 BC. NS. This is five centuries more than previously thought! However, this is already enough to refute the version of the "Atlanteans who built these structures tens of thousands of years before our era." The age of the pyramids of the pharaohs turned out to be much more modest. It should be noted that even radiocarbon analysis posed several new questions for researchers.

So, it is already known for sure that the pyramid of Khafre was erected somewhere in the region of 2960. This gives logical grounds to assume that its construction was carried out almost simultaneously with the "Cheops". It is also possible that it was a separate complex of two structures, to the construction of which the same pharaoh could have had a hand. It would be quite normal to assume that it was erected somewhere in the next 50 years ...

But radiocarbon analysis showed that it was not built earlier than 2572 BC. NS. This one is almost 400 years later than the expected date! Moreover, in 1984, scientists established that the famous Sphinx was built in 2416 BC. NS. Simply put, as much as five centuries after the pyramid of Khafre! But historians have long assumed that these two objects were built together ...

The age of the Mayan pyramids was determined in a similar way. Moreover, in this case, there were practically no problems, since the cities of this people were abandoned, no one was engaged in completion and restoration, and therefore the result of the radiocarbon analysis was much more accurate.