A2 RW Ch5 L1 · Marvels in Engineering 🏗

1When people think of pyramids, they often think of the great pyramids of Egypt. But Mexico and Central America also have wonderful pyramids. These pyramids were built by the Maya, an advanced civilization that ruled much of that area from 2000 BCE to 900 CE.

2The Maya were skilled mathematicians, astronomers, and engineers. This can be seen in both the building process and the final design of the Temple of Kukulkan. Named after a feathered snake god, the pyramid was built in Chichén Itzá between the 9th and 12th centuries and is an engineering marvel.

3The Maya pyramid-building process is known for being both simple and complex. First, the Maya cut rocks into very large blocks. Then they used tools made from rocks to carve and decorate the blocks. Next, they laid long logs on the ground and rolled the heavy blocks over the logs, from the rock site to the building site. After that, they moved the blocks into the pyramid shape, but no one knows exactly how it was done. They did all of this without metal tools or work animals.

4Like the building process, the pyramid's design is also amazing. The two most amazing features of the pyramid are the stairs to the top and the "moving" snake head at the base. The 100-foot-tall pyramid has four sides, and each side has 91 steps leading to the top. Another step is at the top going into a temple. Together, the steps add up to 365, the number of days in a year. At the bottom of the pyramid is a giant snake head (to honor Kukulkan). During the fall and spring equinoxes, the sun creates a shadow that looks like the snake is moving down the pyramid. This was carefully planned by the Maya, who positioned the pyramid for this effect.

5The fact that beautiful pyramids like Kukulkan are still around after thousands of years is proof of the engineering skill of the builders.

1When people think of pyramids, they often think of the great pyramids of Egypt. But Mexico and Central America also have wonderful pyramids. These pyramids were built by the Maya, an advanced civilization that ruled much of that area from 2000 BCE to 900 CE.

2The Maya were skilled mathematicians, astronomers, and engineers. This can be seen in both the building process and the final design of the Temple of Kukulkan. Named after a feathered snake god, the pyramid was built in Chichén Itzá between the 9th and 12th centuries and is an engineering marvel.

3The Maya pyramid-building process is known for being both simple and complex. First, the Maya cut rocks into very large blocks. Then they used tools made from rocks to carve and decorate the blocks. Next, they laid long logs on the ground and rolled the heavy blocks over the logs, from the rock site to the building site. After that, they moved the blocks into the pyramid shape, but no one knows exactly how it was done. They did all of this without metal tools or work animals.

4Like the building process, the pyramid's design is also amazing. The two most amazing features of the pyramid are the stairs to the top and the "moving" snake head at the base. The 100-foot-tall pyramid has four sides, and each side has 91 steps leading to the top. Another step is at the top going into a temple. Together, the steps add up to 365, the number of days in a year. At the bottom of the pyramid is a giant snake head (to honor Kukulkan). During the fall and spring equinoxes, the sun creates a shadow that looks like the snake is moving down the pyramid. This was carefully planned by the Maya, who positioned the pyramid for this effect.

5The fact that beautiful pyramids like Kukulkan are still around after thousands of years is proof of the engineering skill of the builders.

1When people think of pyramids, they often think of the great pyramids of Egypt. But Mexico and Central America also have wonderful pyramids. These pyramids were built by the Maya, an advanced civilization that ruled much of that area from 2000 BCE to 900 CE.

2The Maya were skilled mathematicians, astronomers, and engineers. This can be seen in both the building process and the final design of the Temple of Kukulkan. Named after a feathered snake god, the pyramid was built in Chichén Itzá between the 9th and 12th centuries and is an engineering marvel.

3The Maya pyramid-building process is known for being both simple and complex. First, the Maya cut rocks into very large blocks. Then they used tools made from rocks to carve and decorate the blocks. Next, they laid long logs on the ground and rolled the heavy blocks over the logs, from the rock site to the building site. After that, they moved the blocks into the pyramid shape, but no one knows exactly how it was done. They did all of this without metal tools or work animals.

4Like the building process, the pyramid's design is also amazing. The two most amazing features of the pyramid are the stairs to the top and the "moving" snake head at the base. The 100-foot-tall pyramid has four sides, and each side has 91 steps leading to the top. Another step is at the top going into a temple. Together, the steps add up to 365, the number of days in a year. At the bottom of the pyramid is a giant snake head (to honor Kukulkan). During the fall and spring equinoxes, the sun creates a shadow that looks like the snake is moving down the pyramid. This was carefully planned by the Maya, who positioned the pyramid for this effect.

5The fact that beautiful pyramids like Kukulkan are still around after thousands of years is proof of the engineering skill of the builders.