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While the Pyramids of Giza are renowned worldwide for their ancient grandeur, Egypt isn’t the only place where pyramid-building has flourished. Throughout history, various cultures have embraced the pyramid concept, adding their own unique interpretations. Below, we explore some of the most fascinating alternative pyramids created over the years, including a few ambitious projects that never quite came to fruition.
10. The English Pyramid of Death
The Egyptian pyramids were famously designed as royal tombs, serving as both burial sites and places of worship. However, this approach was seen as exclusive. In 1829, Thomas Willson proposed a groundbreaking solution to London’s overcrowded cemeteries: a massive pyramid mausoleum capable of holding five million bodies. Standing at an impressive ninety-four floors—taller than the Chrysler Building—this structure was planned to be erected right in the heart of London.
Willson believed his concept was efficient, sanitary, and aesthetically pleasing, envisioning it as a tourist attraction where visitors would gather for picnics and admiration. He also projected a lucrative profit of approximately ten million pounds. However, not everyone shared his enthusiasm. One historian criticized the idea as a “horrifying blend of grandiose Neo-Classical ambition and cold, utilitarian functionality,” essentially calling it a terrible idea. Ultimately, public opposition grew, with Londoners preferring traditional parks over a monumental pyramid of death for their leisure activities.
9. The Roman Pyramid
When we think of Roman architecture, amphitheaters, temples, and statues come to mind—pyramids, however, do not. Surprisingly, right in the heart of Rome stands a 2,000-year-old pyramid, towering at 121 feet (37 meters).
After Egypt became a Roman province, the Romans were clearly inspired by its grand royal tombs. A Roman magistrate named Gaius Cestius likely thought, “This is impressive,” and commissioned his own pyramid, designed in Roman fashion, as his final resting place. Unfortunately, much like the Egyptian pyramids, such a conspicuous tomb attracted thieves, and both his remains and the pyramid’s treasures were looted in ancient times.
8. The Inverted Subterranean Pyramid
How do you construct a sixty-five-story pyramid in the heart of bustling Mexico City? The solution is simple: flip it upside down and place it underground. This innovative concept comes from a Mexican architectural firm, which envisions transforming the city’s central square with a glass surface, beneath which lies a multi-level pyramid housing offices, residences, and retail spaces.
Mexico boasts a deep heritage of pyramid construction, dating back to the Maya civilization. The architects behind this proposed pyramid claim it would “excavate through the layers of urban history to reconnect with our origins.” Ironically, this high-tech underground complex, estimated to cost $800 million, has yet to win over city officials.
7. The Grand Pyramid of Cholula
Which pyramid holds the title of the world’s largest? Many assume it’s the Great Pyramid of Giza, but in reality, there’s one that’s twice its size.
While not as towering as Egypt’s Great Pyramid, the Great Pyramid of Cholula—also known by its less memorable name, Tlachihualtepetl—boasts a much larger base. Located in central-east Mexico, this pyramid was constructed over a millennium, from the 3rd century B.C. to the 9th century A.D.
Legend attributes its construction to a giant named Xelhua, though archaeologists argue it was the work of successive ancient Mexican civilizations, each adding layers over time. Today, the pyramid is heavily overgrown, resembling a natural hill—so convincingly that the Spanish erected a church atop it in the 16th century.
6. The Pyramids of Sudan
While Egypt is often hailed as the global hub of pyramids, another nation boasts double the number: Sudan. Situated just south of modern-day Egypt, these pyramids were primarily constructed in the 3rd century B.C., approximately eight centuries after Egypt’s last pyramids were completed.
With over 250 pyramids ranging from 20 feet (6 meters) to 120 feet (36 meters) in height, many of these structures were only uncovered in recent years. This suggests either that the Sudanese were exceptionally skilled at concealing their pyramids or that archaeologists have historically favored more renowned sites for their excavations.
5. The Pyramid Tomb of China’s First Emperor
Though it may appear unremarkable now, the mausoleum pyramid of China's first Emperor is a perilous marvel. Constructed between 246 B.C. and 208 B.C., it is believed to have employed up to 700,000 workers and is riddled with more traps than any Indiana Jones adventure could depict.
Designed to mirror the Emperor’s palace and his vision of the universe, this pyramid had a dark side. Childless concubines were executed and entombed alongside him, and workers were buried alive to safeguard its mysteries. To camouflage its purpose, the structure was adorned with vegetation, making it resemble a natural hill. Modern Chinese archaeologists hesitate to excavate, citing insufficient technology, though fears of the pyramid's deadly traps, such as its mercury moat, may also play a role. Even today, mercury levels around the site remain alarmingly high.
4. The Inverted Pyramid of Slovakia
Architecture is no easy feat. Imagine perfecting your designs for months, only to have them misinterpreted during construction. This seems to be the case with the 262-foot (80m) Slovak Radio Building in Bratislava, Slovakia, completed in 1983. The building houses a concert hall featuring one of Slovakia’s largest organs. Its precarious, inverted design gives the impression it might collapse at any moment, so visitors should distribute their weight evenly when exploring.
3. The Pyramid of Mars
Why limit pyramids to Earth? NASA’s Curiosity rover discovered something intriguing on Mars: a pyramid-like structure that eerily resembles those from ancient Egypt—or perhaps Egypt’s pyramids were inspired by it.
According to NASA, the pyramid is likely the result of wind erosion. However, ancient alien theorists argue it’s undeniable proof that extraterrestrials from Mars influenced Earth’s history. One thing is certain: if Martians built this structure, they were remarkably small, as the pyramid is no larger than a football.
2. The German Pyramid of Death
Pyramids of death have a lasting legacy. In 2007, a team of German entrepreneurs proposed a colossal 1900-foot (580m) pyramid designed to accommodate the remains of up to forty million individuals. This multi-colored structure, intended to offset its macabre purpose, would allow people to reserve a spot for their ashes in a personalized block for around $1000. Towering at ten times the height of the Great Pyramid, it would have dominated the surrounding villages with its imposing presence.
Surprisingly, the project received $115,000 in funding from the German government. However, due to waning interest and local opposition to a massive, multi-colored pyramid filled with human remains, the plan has stalled. Despite this, those still interested can register here.
1. The Giant Pyramid of German WWI Helmets
For a brief period, New York boasted its very own pyramid. Following World War One, thousands of helmets seized from German soldiers were transported to America and arranged into a pyramidal structure at Grand Central Terminal as a grim yet triumphant exhibit.
Such a display would likely face significant backlash today. However, it pales in comparison to the brutality of fourteenth-century Central Asian ruler Tamerlane, who once constructed a pyramid using 90,000 human skulls outside a besieged city to instill fear. It’s safe to assume his tactic was effective.
