The Great Pyramids at Giza and the ziggurats of the ancient Near East

When first comparing the Great Pyramids at Giza to the ziggurats of the ancient Near East, they seem completely different.  The size, purpose and capabilities that were used to create each differ so dramatically.  Although the ziggurats of the ancient Near East and the Great Pyramids at Giza differ in many ways, there are similarities as well between the structures.

They ways in which each were constructed differ significantly.  The ziggurats were built on top of ruble, perhaps from earlier structures, serving as a foundation.  In contrast, the Great Pyramids at Giza had to have the foundation perfectly level in order to achieve the desired results.  Ziggurats averaged about 170 feet in height and were rectangular, with the Nanna Ziggurat having dimensions of 205 feet by 141 feet.  The pyramids on the other hand reached heights of up to 450 feet, as Khufu’s is, with a square base of 13 acres.  The ziggurats were made on top of ruble and made of a mud brick, with a tar like substance used as mortar.  The pyramids were made from 2.5 ton cut stone blocks which were covered with limestone with gold at the top.  The ziggurats were whitewashed and the pyramids had white limestone, thus having a similar color while someone would look at them.

The Anu Ziggurat was built between 3300 BC and 3000 BC, and the Nanna Ziggurat around 2100-2050 BC.  In between this time is when the Great Pyramids at Giza were built, around 2575-2450 BC.  This is important, I believe, because the ziggurats did not change much in their structure as the pyramids used mathematical calculations to ensure perfect angles that were needed for the structures to meet precisely in the center at the top.  The ziggurats were solid brick whereas the pyramids had tunnels built inside.  Pyramids had smooth sides as opposed to the ziggurats that had different entrances and stairways, as well as different slopes to the structures.

The purpose and functions differ in many ways as well.  Ziggurats were shrines dedicated to gods.  They were built higher off of the ground in order to be closer to the gods.  They were built as a meeting place where the gods could come down.  They were built to commune with the gods.  The ancient Near Eastern people would leave offerings to the gods at the cella and perhaps perform religious rituals there.  The shrines were placed on top of the ziggurats in stark contrast to the pyramids which made use of the inside portions.   Pyramids were built for the pharaohs to protect their tombs that were inside the pyramids.  The architects of the pyramids made elaborate tunnels to the tomb and throughout the pyramid as well.  They had a false tomb chamber under the pyramid to try and protect the resting place of the pharaohs. 

Ziggurats functioned symbolically as bridges between earth and the heavens, a meeting place for humans and their gods.  This could be a definite similarity between the ziggurats and pyramids.  Inscriptions on the walls of pyramids built in the Fifth and Sixth Dynasties describe the deceased kings climbing the rays to join the sun god Ra.  The angled sides of the pyramids may represent the slanting rays of the sun.

Whatever the similarities and differences there are between the ziggurats of the ancient Near East and the Great Pyramids at Giza, they are both extremely fascinating and truly amazing.