Ancient Pyramids in Arizona
When you think of ancient pyramids, you most likely recall the Great Pyramids in Egypt, the Mayan pyramids in Mexico or the pyramids of Machu Picchu in Peru. However, Boston University and UniSci's International Science News report that the state of Arizona features its own set of pyramids -- naturally formed ancient pyramids in the San Francisco Peaks group of volcanic mountains.
In an article published in "Archaeology," Dr. Farouk El-Baz states that he believes the builders of Egypt's primary pyramids may have modeled them after natural landforms in the Sahara Desert. In the southwestern United States, Arizona features three peaks that are as strangely similar in shape and distance to each other as the Pyramids of Giza. The Hopi people settled this north-central part of Arizona more than 900 years ago and etched ancient petroglyphs in the area's rocks that signify the San Francisco Peaks as "stepped pyramids." Gary David reported in 2007 that the "relationship between the Egyptian desert hills and the three monumental pyramids may be similar to that between the volcanic mountains of Arizona."
San Francisco Peaks
San Francisco Peaks is a trio of volcanic mountains in the Coconino National Forest. The three mountains are the highest points in the state and can be seen from the Grand Canyon, more than 80 miles away. Humphreys Peak is 12,633 feet high and the highest elevation point in Arizona. About a mile south is Agassiz Peak at 12,356 feet high and a mile even further southeast is Fremont Peak at 11,969 feet. From a distance, this mountain trio of triangular-shaped mountains somewhat resembles the Pyramids of Giza.
The San Francisco Peaks mountain range is not only sacred to the native Hopi people, but also to the present-day Navajo tribe. According to legend, Tuuwanasavi is the center of the Hopi universe, which is made up of the First, Second and Third Mesa that we view today as the three San Francisco Peak mountains, Humphrey, Agassiz and Fremont. Much like the Giza Pyramids, the three Arizona mountains, or mesas, line up with the belt of Orion; a spiritual constellation that is a focus for Arizona's native people. The ancient Hopi and Navajo people believed the higher the elevation, the closer they were to their celestial gods; therefore, they built their civilizations as close to the top of the local mesas as possible.
Other Natural Pyramid Formations in Arizona
Two other natural pyramid-shaped land formations in Arizona are Pyramid Rock and Pyramid Peak. Pyramid Rock, in Mohave County, which sits more than 4,200 feet above sea level, is near the Colorado River and is a former gold mining area. Nearby recreational activities include hiking and rock climbing. Pyramid Peak is north of Phoenix in the Deem Hills desert preserve. At 2,260 feet, it is the highest elevation point in the area. Pyramid Peak offers hiking, mountain biking and bouldering opportunities.
- Incio Biblioteca Pleyades: The Great Pyramids of Arizona
- The Orion Zone: The Great Pyramids of Arizona
- "Archaeology"; Gifts of the Desert; Farouk El-Baz; April 2001
- UniSci; Pyramids and Sphinx Both Inspired by Desert Landforms; Dr. El-Baz; April 16, 2001
- B.U. Bridge: Boston University Community's Weekly Newspaper; El-Baz: Pyramids and the Sphinx Were Modeled After Landforms; Bryan Fitzgerald; April 2001
- U.S. Forest Service: Coconino National Forest -- Peaks District Recreation
- Arizona Leisure Vacation Guide: San Francisco Peaks -- Flagstaff Arizona
- Pyramid Mesa: Prophecies
- Summit Post: Pyramid Peak -- Climbing, Hiking and Mountaineering
- Mike Higbee's Prospectors Cache; Mohave County, Arizona; Tom Ashworth
- USA Indettaglio: Island of Pyramid Rock (Valentine), Mohave, Arizona
- Attribution: Ricraider; License: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license
- Attribution: Mortadelo2005; License: Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 Generic license
- Attribution: Kitaro001; License: GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2
- Attribution: Adbar; License: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license
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