1. Mesoamerican Pyramids: The ancient civilizations of Mesoamerica, including the Maya, Aztec, and Toltec, built numerous pyramids. These pyramids served various purposes, including as temples, tombs, and astronomical observatories. Some well-known Mesoamerican pyramids include the Great Pyramid of Cholula, the Pyramid of the Sun at Teotihuacan, and the Kukulkan Pyramid at Chichen Itza.
2. Sudanese Pyramids: The Kingdom of Kush, an ancient Nubian civilization located in what is now Sudan, constructed several pyramids. These pyramids are smaller than the Egyptian pyramids and were primarily built as tombs for the rulers of Kush. The most famous Sudanese pyramids are located at Meroe, which was the capital of the Kush Kingdom.
3. Chinese Pyramids: China has several pyramid-like structures known as "earth mounds" or "tumuli." These mounds were built by ancient Chinese civilizations and served as burial sites for emperors and other important figures. The most notable Chinese pyramids are the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor (also known as the Terracotta Army) and the Great Wall of Qi.
4. Peruvian Pyramids: The Moche civilization of ancient Peru built several pyramid-shaped structures, known as huacas. These huacas were used for various purposes, including religious ceremonies, astronomical observations, and as tombs. The Huaca del Sol and Huaca de la Luna in the Moche Valley are two well-known examples of Peruvian pyramids.
5. Canarian Pyramids: The Canary Islands, located off the coast of northwestern Africa, have several stepped pyramid structures known as "pyramids of Güímar." These pyramids were built by the indigenous Guanche people and are believed to have been used for astronomical purposes and as territorial markers.
These examples demonstrate that pyramid building was a practice observed in various ancient cultures across different regions of the world. While the Egyptian pyramids are undoubtedly the most famous and well-known, other civilizations also constructed pyramids or similar structures, each with their unique characteristics and purposes.