Top 8 Largest Pyramids In The World
There are numerous sizes and shapes to modern and ancient pyramids. One could, for instance, compare their heights to determine which pyramid is the largest. The Transamerica Pyramid, which is 260 meters (853 feet) tall, would unquestionably be a worthy contender.
However, many large pyramids have a large base but are not very tall. Therefore, the volume of a pyramid is probably a more accurate metric for size. The following formula can be used to determine a pyramid's volume: Base length, base width, and height divided by a third. For the Transamerica Pyramid, this is 54 x 54 x 260 x 1/3, equal 252,720 m3, which is not even close enough to be included on our list of the largest pyramids.
Therefore, locating the world's largest pyramids should not be too difficult using this formula. Sadly, it isn't that simple. Numerous pyramids are stepped rather than true pyramids with smooth sides. The fact that not all of the world's largest pyramids have been fully excavated is yet another issue.
8 Largest Pyramids in the World
- La Danta, El Mirador
- Pyramid of the Sun
- Luxor Hotel
- Bent Pyramid
- Red Pyramid
- Great Pyramid of Cholula
- Pyramid of Khafre
- Pyramid of Khufu
8. La Danta, El Mirador (0,9 million m3)
El Mirador was a significant Mayan city that flourished around the 6th century BC. Between the 3rd and 1st centuries BC, it may have had a peak population of over 8,000 people. After a brief pause of several centuries, additional constructions continued until the city was abandoned at the end of the ninth century.
Due to their remote location deep in the jungle of northern Guatemala, the ruins were rediscovered in 1926 but received little attention. The largest structures at El Mirador, the El Tigre and La Danta complexes, give the impression of two large hills, and the site is still largely covered in tropical jungle today.
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There are a number of platforms in the La Danta complex. A series of buildings are supported by the lowest platform, which is 7 meters (23 feet) high and measures 310 by 590 meters (1017 by 1936 feet). The next platform rises another 7 meters and measures approximately 190 by 240 meters (623 by 787 feet). Another platform approximately 21 meters (69 feet) above that is topped by three pyramids, the highest of which is 21 meters in height. Although La Danta includes a low natural hill, the Danta Complex is slightly higher than El Tigre (around 55 meters, or 180 feet) at 70 meters (230 feet).
The La Danta complex is one of the world's largest, according to one source, with a total volume of 2,800,000 cubic meters. However, the accuracy of this calculation and the question of whether the complex as a whole can be considered a single pyramid are the issues at hand. Because it supports multiple buildings, one could argue that a portion of the first platform should not be included.
7. Pyramid of the Sun (1,2 million m³)
The Pyramid of the Sun is the biggest structure in Teotihuacán and perhaps of the biggest Pyramid in Mesoamerica. The Aztecs, who visited Teotihuacán centuries after it was abandoned, gave the city its name.
Two stages were used to build the pyramid. The pyramid nearly reached its current size during the first stage of construction, which took place around 100 AD. The building's final dimensions were 225 meters (733 feet) across and 75 meters (246 feet) high thanks to the second round of construction.
6. Luxor Lodging (1,228 million m³)
The Luxor Pyramid was among the first of a very long term wave of new megaresorts to arise on the Las Vegas Strip during the 1990s. Opened in 1993 after just eighteen months of development, the Luxor appeared with 2,526 visitor rooms, a colossal gambling club region, a display area, cafés, and diversion scenes on its second floor.
It is significantly smaller than its famous model, the Great Pyramid at Giza, at a height of 110 meters (350 feet) and a base length of 183 meters (600 feet).
5. Bent Pyramid (1,237 million m³)
The Bent Pyramid was Sneferu's second pyramid, and it is located at Dahshur. The Egyptian pyramid mysteriously rises from the desert at a 45-degree angle before abruptly changing to a 43-degree angle.
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According to one theory, the builders were forced to use a shallower angle because the weight that was to be added above the inner chambers and passageways became too much because of the steepness of the original angle. The pyramid has a height of 101.1 meters, or 332 feet, and a base height of 188.6 meters, or 619 feet.
4. Red Pyramid (1,69 million m³)
The Red Pyramid was built by Pharaoh Sneferu and is the world's first successful attempt at a true pyramid. The pyramid is 104 meters (341 feet) high and measures 220 meters by 220 meters (722 feet).
Before the Giza pyramids were built, it was Egypt's largest pyramid. Today, the Red Pyramid stands out for its relatively unregulated interior access and the absence of crowds that plague the Giza Plateau.
3. Great Pyramid of Cholula (1,8 million m³)
The Great Pyramid of Cholula in Mexico appears to be a natural hill topped by a Catholic church. The Spanish constructed the Iglesia de Nuestra Seora de los Remedios in 1594 on the site of a pre-Hispanic temple.
Based on its size of 450 by 450 meters (1476 by 1476 feet) and height of 66 meters (217 by 217 feet), this temple is, in fact, the largest pyramid ever built anywhere in the world, according to the Guinness Book of Records. Its total volume is estimated to be more than 4.45 million m3.
However, a different volume is revealed upon closer inspection of the site. From the 3rd century BC to the 9th century AD, a number of structures were built on top of each other to form the complex.
A pyramid is depicted in the image above standing on a massive platform. Despite being the third-largest pyramid ever constructed, the Cholulu Pyramid has a base that is only 295 meters by 270 meters (968 feet by 886 feet). This results in a much smaller volume.
2. Pyramid of Khafre (2,21 million m³)
The Pyramid of Khafre is the second-largest pyramid at Giza after the Great Pyramid, which Khafre's father Khufu constructed. However, because it is constructed at a higher elevation, it appears to be slightly larger.
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The pyramid was originally 143.5 meters (471 feet) high and has a base length of 215.5 meters (706 feet), but it is now 12 meters shorter. The topmost layer of smooth stones, the only remaining casing stones on a Giza Pyramid, is Khafre's Pyramid's most distinctive feature.
1. Pyramid of Khufu (2,58 million m³)
The Great Pyramid of Khufu is the oldest and only remaining member of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It covers 2,58 million square meters. The pyramid was built over a 20-year period in the year 2560 BC using more than 2 million stone blocks.
The pyramid is 230 meters (755 feet) long and 139 meters (455 feet), up from its original height of 146.5 meters (480.6 feet). Therefore, in the end, when all of the largest pyramids have been considered, the Great Pyramid of Khufu remains the largest pyramid ever constructed.
