Ancient Civilizations

The reading argues that the two ancient peoples, the Egyptians and the Maya, probably have communicated somehow and exchanged knowledge. The lecturer makes several points opposing that view.

First, the lecturer claims the two peoples had come to a 360-day calendar on their own. He thinks it was much easier to use 360 day for calculations than 365. So first the Maya and the Egyptians invented a 360-day calendar and then adjusted it with the time to follow. This casts down on the reading as the author claims that the two peoples used the same calendar.

Second, the lecturer argues that the pyramids build by those two peoples were absolutely different. He agrees that the pyramids were used for rituals, but points out that the Egyptians used the pyramids to bury rich prominent people and would never enter those tombs. On the contrary, the Maya performed religious ceremonies in the pyramids. Also, the Egyptians built the pyramids outside of the town, whereas the Maya erected them right in the center of their villages. Thus, the professor explains the difference between the usage of the pyramids of those peoples and opposes the reading.

Also, the lecturer points out that the materials used for the pyramids were not alike. He states the Egyptians made rectangular stones, while the Maya used natural form stones and applied plaster to them. However, the reading claims the stones to be the same form.

Finally, the professor casts doubt on the form of the pyramids. He is sure the two civilizations came to a concept of square bases for the pyramid on their own. That statement contradicts the reading which presupposes that they might have shared the knowledge again. Though the lecturer agrees that the form of the pyramids was alike, he suggests it was a coincidence. Both nations used a stair-like form because it was easier to go up and down the pyramids.

In conclusion, the lecturer opposes the reading casting doubt on the possibility of communication between the Maya and the Egyptians. He argues that though there might seem some similarities between their calendars and pyramids at first sight, each nation had developed and used them in their own way.