A pyramid is basically a structure with triangular sides, all of which meet at the top.

Pyramids have either three, four or five sides. Since the weight is greatest at the bottom and least at the top, the center of gravity of pyramids is very low - which makes for very stable buildings. That's why many of the ancient pyramids have survived till today. The most famous of which, of course, are the Pyramids of Giza. These are the pyramids that have set many imaginations ablaze with so many amazing theories and stories; from the very plausible to the completely quirky. The Great Pyramid of Giza, built around 2570 BC, is the only ancient wonder of the world still standing. Other than ours (which number over 110) there were other ancient pyramids built in Mesopotamia, Greece, Mexico, Rome and other places. And these days there are many modern structures built to resemble these old ones, such as the Luxor hotel in Las Vegas. The oldest pyramids were those of Mesopotamia, not Egypt. But they were built with mud-brick and not much of them survived. The oldest Egyptian pyramid is the Step Pyramid of King Djoser. The largest number of pyramids built was that of the Nubian civilization, over 200 of them. They were inspired by the Egyptians and were used as royal tombs also. The functions of pyramids differed from civilization to civilization. Those in Mexico were used for human sacrifice. The pyramids of ancient Egypt were used as tombs for royalty. Many of them were built into complexes containing mortuary temples and some even included pits with buried ancient Egyptian boats used for the king's journey in the afterlife. A pyramid is basically a structure with triangular sides, all of which meet at the top. Pyramids have either three, four or five sides. Since the weight is greatest at the bottom and least at the top, the center of gravity of pyramids is very low - which makes for very stable buildings. That's why many of the ancient pyramids have survived till today. The most famous of which, of course, are the Pyramids of Giza. These are the pyramids that have set many imaginations ablaze with so many amazing theories and stories; from the very plausible to the completely quirky. The Great Pyramid of Giza, built around 2570 BC, is the only ancient wonder of the world still standing. Other than ours (which number over 110) there were other ancient pyramids built in Mesopotamia, Greece, Mexico, Rome and other places. And these days there are many modern structures built to resemble these old ones, such as the Luxor hotel in Las Vegas. The oldest pyramids were those of Mesopotamia, not Egypt. But they were built with mud-brick and not much of them survived. The oldest Egyptian pyramid is the Step Pyramid of King Djoser. The largest number of pyramids built was that of the Nubian civilization, over 200 of them. They were inspired by the Egyptians and were used as royal tombs also. The functions of pyramids differed from civilization to civilization. Those in Mexico were used for human sacrifice. The pyramids of ancient Egypt were used as tombs for royalty. Many of them were built into complexes containing mortuary temples and some even included pits with buried ancient Egyptian boats used for the king's journey in the afterlife.