What is stupa, barrow, pseudo pyramid, and Ziggurat ?
In the published literature there appears to be a mix-up between geometrical shapes: • Pyramid • Tumulus : The dictionary tells us that the tumulus is an ancient burial mound. I consider the geometry of the latter to be conical, with a roundish base, no corners and curved top. The word tumulus covers the forms stupas and barrows. The earliest tombs in Egypt were independent tumuli. A tumulus imbedded in mastaba K1 at Beit Khallaf dating to the 3rd dynasty (BC 2700) is clearly visible from destruction on the outside. The Step pyramid at Saqqara has another tumulus which can be seen at certain places in the substructure. • Mound • Stupa : a tumulus type of Buddhist structure found across the Indian subcontinent and other parts of Asia. The Great Stupa at Sanchi dates to BC 400 -100. The Mankiala stupa was built on the legend of Buddha’s offering of his body to seven hungry tiger cubs. Note the vegetation on the upper part and the recess panelling on the construction of the plinth. • Barr
