Pyramids of Egypt

Geometric shapes have been around us for millions of years. In Antiquity, there was already geometry

in people’s lives. For instance, in Ancient Egypt, the pyramids are the type of geometric shape that stand out. 


“A pyramid is a three dimensional shape made up of flat faces: a polygon base and triangular lateral faces

which meet at a point, called the apex” (Third Space Learning, n.d.). According to the shape of the base of the

pyramid, we can find different types of them. For example, there are triangular pyramids, square based pyramids,

pentagonal ones, hexagonal ones, etc.  


Nevertheless, in Egypt a huge number of pyramids have a square as a base. Some of the most famous ones are

the pyramids of Giza. They can be covered in Mathematics but also in History lessons as they were built as

funerary monuments for pharaohs so they are a great idea to link different subjects, promoting an interdisciplinary

education. 


Figure 1

Pyramids of Giza



Note. Tripadvisor, n.d.


For lower courses, we could show students a video with a song about pyramids.


Video 1


Note. Jack Hartmann Kids Music Channel, 2023.


In Egyptian Pyramids the base is a square and they are composed of lateral faces that are triangles.

Thanks to this Egyptian geometric shape, children can learn about those two polygons and about other

pyramids' parts, such as edges and the apex. 


Figure 2

Parts of a pyramid




Note. Math.net, n.d.


What pupils could do in class is to create a pyramid with cardboard or paper. Then, it would be possible

for them to see this geometric shape in a realistic way, although it would obviously be on a smaller scale.

This manipulative activity encourages meaningful and also active learning, which develops their spatial awareness. 


References: 

Jack Hartmann Kids Music Channel. (2023, January 4). This is a Square-Based Pyramid! (Video file). Youtube. https://youtu.be/CjN3ANEUdD8?si=HP9HO29_2dMPam6f

Math.net. (n.d.). Pyramid [Image]. https://www.math.net/pyramid

Third Space Learning. (n.d.). Pyramid. https://thirdspacelearning.com/gcse-maths/geometry-and-measure/pyramid/

Tripadvisor (n.d.). Pyramids of Giza [Image]. Retrieved April 12, 2026, from https://www.tripadvisor.es/Attraction_Review-g294202-d317746-Reviews-The_Pyramids_Of_Giza-Giza_Giza_Governorate.html






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