Almost every ancient culture and civilization, be it Mesopotamian, Chinese, Egyptian, or Mayan, has left a legacy of towering pyramids. A surprisingly global phenomenon, we can these majestic structures all around the world.

1. Pyramid of Djoser – Saqqara, Egypt (2660 BCE)

While there are over a hundred pyramids in Egypt, this is the oldest. Built by the Pharaoh Djoser (Zoser), this step pyramid predates those at Giza by more than a century.

2. Pyramid of the Sun – Teotihuacan, Mexico (100 CE)

The Mexican city of Teotihuacan is filled with massive step pyramids. The most impressive is the 240-foot-tall Pyramid of the Sun, built in five layers.

3. El Castillo – Yucatan, Mexico (1000 CE)

98-foot-tall Chichen Itza pyramid, or the Temple of Kukulcan, is a Mayan temple with 365 steps, one for each day of the year.

4. Prang Temple – Koh Ker, Cambodia (940 CE)

Located in Koh Ker, the seven‑tiered and 118-foot-tall Prang Temple was built under the reign of Jayavarman I.

5. Pyramid of Khufu – Cairo, Egypt (2560 BCE)

One of the three towering Pyramids of Giza, the Great Pyramid was built for Pharoah Khufu and is the only remaining wonder of the ancient world.

6. Tomb of the General – Ji’an, China (400 CE)

This 43-foot-tall “Pyramid of the East” was the burial place of King Jangsu, the 20th ruler of Goguryeo. It is located in modern-day Ji’an in China.

7. Ziggurat of Ur – Iraq (2000 BCE)

Built by the Sumerians in the 21st century BC, this ancient ziggurat in modern-day Iraq has been reconstructed many times over the years.

8. Tomb of Kashta – Meroe, Sudan (500 BCE)

Once known as Nubia, the pyramids of Sudan are smaller and more narrowly tapered than those of Egyptian pharaohs. There are about 40 in total at Meroe.

9. Borobudur Temple – Java, Indonesia (800 CE)

The nine stacked platforms of the Borobudur Temple form the world’s largest Buddhist temple. It was built in the 9th century by the Sailendra Dynasty.

10. Tikal – Peten, Guatemala

The Mayan city of Tikal has 6 pyramidal temples. The tallest is Tikal IV, at 230 feet. It is topped by the Temple of the Two-Headed Serpent.

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