Abstract This paper examines and compares the pyramids of Egypt and those of the ancient Mayan culture, found in Mexico and parts of Central America. In an attempt to explain why these architectural legacies share so many striking similarities in spite of the thousands of years and geographical distances that separated the cultures that produced them, the paper considers what was important to the two civilizations and what it was that they were they trying to accomplish by building these complex and enormous structures.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Egyptians The Mayans Conclusion
From the Paper "Half a world and three thousand years apart, two ancient civilizations built a series of remarkably similar structures shaped like and known as pyramids - or The Pyramids to us latecomers. The Egyptians built theirs in the twenty-sixth century b.c., or earlier, a short distance inland from the west bank of the Nile River; to date, eighty are known to exist. Built between 250 and 800 a.d., the dozen or so Mayan pyramids excavated thus far are located in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, Guatemala and elsewhere in Central America. The biggest, the Great Pyramid of Khufu, at Giza in Egypt, was originally built to a height of 481 feet (though the top thirty feet have simply disintegrated over time) and was for more than four thousand years the largest man-made structure ever assembled. The Mayan pyramids are somewhat smaller, but imposing nonetheless."
Abstract This paper gives an overview of the ancient Mayan culture, with an emphasis on their art, religion and their daily lives. The author first examines the significance of the Mayanpyramids which still stand today. The pyramids are felt to give insights into the Mayan's religion and government. The paper continues by suggesting theories of why the Mayans disappeared. Despite the disappearance of ancient Mayans, the author suggests that cultural influences of the Mayans still exist in Central America today.
Outline:
Introduction-Who Were the Mayans?
The Case Against the Mayans The Case for Mayan Culture
Conclusion
From the Paper "As for what architecture tells us about the Mayan people, the creation of pyramids and temples that were as large and time-consuming as those created by the Mayans indicate a race of people who were strong, intelligent, and willing to work together for a common goal. Very likely, Mayans were interested in their collective society, as well as their own families, and they worshiped their King. Religion was extremely important to them, as has been mentioned. They used their pyramids and other structures as places to worship, and reverence to their gods was a vital part of their daily lives."
Abstract This paper explores the cultural accomplishments and legacy of the Mayan Empire. The paper demonstrates how their system of higher mathematics and geometry allowed them to build palaces, public buildings, athletic arenas, monuments, pyramids, pottery, jewelry and other various art forms, all without the benefits of modern technology. The paper also examines the archaeological evidence left behind by the Mayan Empire, discussing their creation of whole cities based on stone technology, as well as discovered artifacts that demonstrate the Mayan's culture and cleverness. The paper concludes with a discussion of the legacy of the Mayan Empire and the continuing Mayan cultural presence in Latin America today.
From the Paper "The Mayans kept time with a combination of several cycles that converged and marked the movement of the sun, the moon, and Venus. Archeologists believe the Mayans began to keep track of time on August 31, 3114 BC. The year 3114 BC is called the zero year and is comparable to January 1, 0000 AD. The Mayan calendar records time in 400 year cycles, which means that 13 cycles of 400 years will have passed before the next cycle begins on December 27, 2012 (1-0-0-0-0 in Mayan time). The Mayans realized there were cycles in the Cosmos. From this astronomical realization came instruments for reckoning time and a calendar that accurately measures the solar year to within minutes."
Abstract This paper discusses the focus of Egyptian culture on preparation for death and the afterlife during the Old Kingdom. It looks at the immortality of pharaoh and the impact of pyramids on Egyptian economy and culture. It also examines the Myth of Orisis.
Abstract This paper discusses how, long after the Egyptianpyramids were first built, there still remains a fascination with this unique architectural design. It looks at how the Pharaonic builders completed their task with an ability and sophistication that has never seen been surpassed. Their capability of understanding the force of gravity, of weight and the stone cube was remarkable. The paper concludes that no where else, by any other culture, has the stone mound been transformed so accurately and substantially into geometrical form.
From the Paper "As communities grew larger, it was more possible for leaders to emerge and for power to be solidified within, without fear of external invasion. This internal security accounts for the amazing continuity of the Egyptian civilization2 . Certainly, in no other country after the Paleolithic age, can so many constant elements be found over so long a period as in Egypt. The sense of permanence was made possible by this exceptional locale. Although the exact number of people who lived in the country is not possible to know, estimates vary from between one-and-a-half million to over five million3. Most of this population consisted of peasants and civil servants."
Abstract This paper examines "The Egyptian Book of the Dead", writings sealed in ancient Egyptian tombs, which dealt not only with the pleasures of the afterlife, but also with the journey to that other place. The paper points out that this journey was fraught with dangers that must be overcome were the soul to survive to enjoy its eternal happiness. "The Book of the Dead" represented an early attempt to explain these dangers, and also to impart the esoteric knowledge essential to achieving everlasting contentment. The paper adds that the book also furnishes many clues about ancient Egyptian society and culture. It concludes that the book is an early triumph of art and literature, which continues to inform and inspire.
From the Paper "The many faces of the Egyptian spirit world also related to the Egyptian concepts of daily life and thought that are so well portrayed in the Book of the Dead. Many of the copies of the Book that have come down to us were found in the tombs of high pharaonic officials. Their supplications of the divine are frequently likened to their duties as servants of Egypt's god-kings. For the pharaoh was both man and god, the "good god" who walked the Earth, and afterwards died and rejoined his divine brethren. Egypt, like the netherworld, was a hierarchical and efficiently-managed state with king and officials at its helm. As in the Egypt of this world, the dead expected to enjoy the bounty of their fields and herds, and also the labor of their dependents. Many passages of the Book of the Dead relate Egyptian concepts of the afterlife that are also idealized descriptions of Egyptian life on this Earth. By describing such actions or conditions, the Egyptians perpetuated them in the hereafter: "To copy, to forge, to double, to represent was as if the action or state was always in effect, at least that was the underlying desire." And the world that the Egyptians were re-doubling was in fact the one that they already knew in life. Modern archeologists and historians can use the Book of the Dead as a tool to unraveling the mysteries of Egyptian daily life. The illustrations serve as clear guides to the appearance of the Egyptians themselves, their dress and hairstyles - even the colors they preferred. One can also get some idea of the appearance of Egyptian houses, gardens, and the like. Even the food eaten by the Ancient Egyptians is carefully described in the rituals accorded the deceased - "The roast for the double rib is from the slaughter house, thy retch-bread is from the Wide Hall. As a god is supplied with the offering meal, Unas is supplied with his bread." It is a ritual formula that, nevertheless; makes clear the diet of the Ancient Egyptians and also the manner in which the gods were served in the temples. Egyptian society comes through clearly in amid the religious and ceremonial passages of the Book of the Dead."
Abstract The paper discusses the Stonehenge structure, which is located in Salisbury, England and the Great Pyramid located in Gizeh, Egypt and their hidden purposes. The paper explains that although nobody knows why these structures were built, it is easy to see that these works of art were very important to the people of these societies. The paper asserts that these are important structures in history because of what they tell us about ancient civilizations.
From the Paper "Stonehenge and The Great Pyramids are two of the most mysterious structures in the world. Even with everything that modern technology has learned about them, there still remains more questions than answers. While it can be seen that these works of art were very important to the people who built them, it is nearly impossible to interpret why exactly they were created. So much time and effort went into each of these objects that they must have had a very special significance for these ancient civilizations. Both of them used very heavy materials, which had to be moved great distances and lifted on high platforms. The amount of manual labor that went into these structures is unheard of by today's standards."
Abstract This paper is a comparison between ancient Egyptian culture and more modern cultures. Comparisons are made with respect to the arts, architecture, cultural tradition, agriculture, art, religion, language, and several other areas.
From the Paper "Ancient Egyptian religion, though it was quite different from that of modern religion, has proven to be quite influential on modern society. Dating back as far as the fifth millennia BC, the period which was characterized by the development of the calender. The calender was important to religion because it was based on the documentation of religious feasts.1 The calendar eventually evolved into its present form but it was the early Egyptian version that became the basis of documenting time. The Egyptians, much like other cultures, believed in the existence of higher beings(Gods of the earth, air, and heavens).2 Much like the Egyptians, most modern day religions are all based on the worship of a spiritual presence, giving reason to believe that the study of Egyptian religion is what has influenced the worship of other God's throughout history. Another point to make about the influence of Egyptian religion is that religion was the central part of their lives for the most part,3 much like the way it is for people of the church and monks today. Other aspects of ancient Egyptian religion that can be viewed as influential could be the fact that they worshipped in temples,4 comparable to the churches and temples of today. A final point of interest with respect to ancient Egyptian religion is that they Visutskie 3 actually dealt with the idea of death and resurrection thousands of years before the Christians did with Jesus Christ. Egyptians actually celebrated the feast of Easter with the death, burial, and disappearance of their King, Osiris, on a Friday, and to celebrate his resurrection three days later, on the Sunday. The Christian celebration of Easter is, in fact, an exact replica of the Egyptian Easter with respect to time, details, theme, and objective.5 Aside from religion, perhaps the most influential part of Egyptian culture on modern culture is that of the architecture."
Abstract This paper compares the temple architecture of Egyptians with that of the Greeks and explores the differences in structure, art and symbolism, and function. It discusses how architecture is more than the design of buildings and how it is the expression of ideas through the creation of structures.
Outline
Abstract and Introduction
Architectural Structure
Temple Function and Purpose
Architectural Art and Symbolism
Bibliography
From the Paper "Egyptian temple architecture is much larger than that of the Greeks. One reason for this is because the geographical location was abundant with resources and building materials such as limestone cliffs. Another reason is that the Egyptians maintained a highly organized society capable of carrying out such large constructions. The earliest Egyptian pyramid was built for the pharaoh Zoser in Giza around 2700-2600 BC. These pyramids measured 756 feet on the side and 481 feet tall. Egyptian pyramids almost always took the shape of a triangle. The Egyptians worshiped the sun as their main god and it was represented by the Egyptian hieroglyph as a triangle. "
Abstract This paper compares and contrasts the formal and cultural dimensions of the pyramids at Giza and the Louvre. The Great Pyramid of Giza as one of the wonders of the ancient world, and I.N. Pei's pyramid that serves as the entrance to the Louvre Museum are discussed.
From the Paper "A pyramid is not a pyramid is not a pyramid to paraphrase Gertrude Stein". Even monumental pyramids vary greatly one from the other as we can see if we compare the grand pyramid that I M Pei created to serve as an entrance to the Louvre Museum in Paris and the ..."
Abstract This paper discusses the USDA 2005 Food Pyramid and evaluates its success as a truly nutritious diet. It reviews how effective the USDA has been at educating the public. The paper also explores other eating styles would be healthier than those recommended by the USDA.
From the Paper "In January the USDA revealed its revised food pyramid and its dietary guidelines for Americans. It gives more specific data relating to portion size and the calories that should be consumed and can be tailored to the individual by age gender ..."
Abstract In this paper, the writer maintains that to read "Sinuhe the Egyptian" as solely a piece of political propaganda would significantly underestimate the narrative qualities of the tale and the maturity of ancient Egyptian literature. The writer notes that Miroslav Barta, an Egyptologist, claims that the text serves primarily as political propaganda, idealizing Egyptian society and especially its monarchy. The writer maintains that the lengthy poetic interlude at the point in the story at which Sinuhe meets the Syrian King for the first time does suggest an idealistic attitude toward the Egyptian theocracy. However, the writer notes that other scholars point out that Sinuhe demonstrates literary prowess; its ending comes as a surprise but only when read within a modern framework and corresponding biases. The writer concludes that rather than being propaganda, "Sinuhe the Egyptian" is more clearly an epic literary journey.
From the Paper "In the first case, Sinuhe naturally waxes poetic about the ruler from whom he fled; he never once suggests that he doubts the divinity of the pharaoh's office. His fear of civil strife stems not from a disregard for the court but from personal cowardice (Lorton). Furthermore, he praises the new king so as to not appear weak and pitiable in the eyes of the Syrian King who discovered him. His positive attitude engenders favor, causing the Syrian King to trust him immediately and give him his daughter's hand in marriage as well as scores of wealth and land. If the Syrian King suspected that Sinuhe were a disloyal subject it is unlikely he would have offered such kind service."
Abstract This is a review of the Egyptians by Cyril Aldred. The writer finds that this is a thorough look at how Egyptians lived, worked and developed nations throughout history. Factual data from the book is derived from various sources to provide detailed analysis of a very broad topic.
Abstract This paper provides a discussion of the long tradition of the influence of ancient Egyptian art on ancient Greek artists. The paper looks at how the art of both are affected by their societies' world views. The paper discusses the primary functions of Egyptian art and the different style of Greek art, particularly in relation to depiction of figures.
From the Paper "This paper compares ancient Egyptian art with ancient Greek art and considers the ways in which the Greeks were influenced by Egyptian art. Egypt established a long and enduring artistic tradition. Greek art drew heavily on that background, using many of the same kinds of subjects and incorporating many similar symbols but then reinterpreted them through very different eyes and a strikingly different cultural perception. Both visions continue to have a profound impact on artists in modern cultures from their representation of everyday life to the varied..."
Abstract This paper discusses the mythological Goddess, Isis, and her maternal influence on art. The paper looks at how she became an Egyptian icon, idolized in art because she represented the feminine aspects of life: creation, rebirth, ascension, intuition, wifely fidelity, healing, magic, love and compassion. According to the paper, Isis possessed great skill in magic, loyalty to her husband, womanly power and maternal protection, all represented in artifacts.
From the Paper "The Egyptian culture had an amazing ability to preserve their past because their civilization focused on a strong religion-based mythology. This mythological faith was prominently observed in relics of art. The prevailing mythological Goddess Isis was among the most important illuminating and inspiring Goddess displayed in Egyptian art. Her influence in mythological tales caused her to be an Egyptian icon because she represented the feminine aspects of life; creation, rebirth, ascension, intuition, wifely fidelity..."
