The Ancient Egyptian and Mayan Civilizations are recognized with creating some of the most influential achievements to this day. The Ancient Egyptian culture was located along the Nile River in North-Eastern Africa and lasted for several thousands of years. The Ancient Egyptians reached their “Golden Age” during the Third and Fourth Dynasties or around 2613-2494 B.C. They built some of the greatest architectural structures and developed the basics of medicine. The Mayans were located in Mesoamerica around the Yucatán Peninsula and existed for several hundreds of years. They reached their “Golden or Classical Period” around 250-800 A.D. due to their innovative citizens. Their two most impressive innovations were their farming terraces which kept the topsoil rich and their highly accurate solar calendar just shy of an error. Although the Ancient Mayans and Egyptians were separated by thousands of miles on different continents, many similarities were present in geography, government, and technologies, with some differences included.
Although these two civilizations were situated on the opposite parts of the world, there was one major similarity which was both beneficial and detrimental for them. The two cultures were isolated from other civilizations due to their natural barriers such as mountains, deserts, or forests. The Ancient Egyptians were surrounded by deserts and this kept out many of the invaders and other civilizations who did not wish to risk the long journey. Similar to the Ancient Egyptians, the Mayans were surrounded by high mountains, oceans, and deep forests which kept their civilization hidden from others until the Spanish Explorers arrived.
In order to adapt to their environmental regions, the two ancient civilizations both used technology to advance their architecture for public spaced, irrigation systems, or even tombs. Due to their somewhat similar geographic regions, they both built pyramids to show the glory of the culture, but their usages differed from one another. The Ancient Egyptians used pyramids as a final resting place for Pharaohs, important individuals, or the highly elite. Unlike the Ancient Egyptians, the Mayans used pyramids for most religious purposes with a temple at the top for priests to make sacrifices. Another similarity was the reliance on irrigation for farming. The two civilizations both had the basics of irrigations with the Nile River, and the terraces, but the Mayans went for “into depth” with constructing them. Unlike the Ancient Egyptians who just dug paths for water to flow from the Nile River, the Mayans created a vast system. The Mayans built farming terraces with multiple layers to keep nutrient-enriched topsoil and used the force of gravity to their advantage by allowing water to flow down a mountain. If one were to compare the technologies of both cultures, one could find that both civilizations had extensive technologies, but each culture “went into depth” with constructing certain technologies to meet their own needs.
Both civilizations had the similar idea of hierarchy with a Pharaoh in Ancient Egypt rule, and a King of the Maya. Along with a Hierarchy, the two civilizations believe in hereditary rule. This meant that rank, wealth, and power were passed on through the blood line from a parent to their child. They created a very similar social class which was made up with a majority of peasants, and their government was a form of Theocracy meaning that religion was a very important branch. They were polytheistic, meaning they believed in many gods, and both Kings and Pharaohs were seen as gods who could intercede with religion to help citizens. Although the governments and religions of both civilizations were highly similar, the doctrines of religion were different. The Mayans believe in blood-sacrifices and often did human sacrifices to please or feed their gods. The Ancient Egyptians, however, sacrificed animals and burned incense to meditate and communicate with their gods. Both cultures had very similar styles of governments, and religious beliefs and these were two of the most important parts of their civilizations.