Martha Herrings, age 11, of San Bernardino, California, for her question:

Are the pyramids of Egypt and Mexico exactly alike?

The Magi of ancient Babylon erected flat topped pyramids from which they studied the stars. These buildings went out of style and crumbled away. Some 5,000 years ago the Egyptians were building pointed pyramids as tombs for their departed kings. The pyramids of Egypt were erected from neatly hewn, carefully placed blocks of durable stone and they have stood the test of time. Explorers of the New World were aston¬ished to find many massive pyramid buildings still in use and the ruins of countless others. They were flat topped pyramids and quite unlike those of Egypt or ancient Mesopotamia.

The Mexican pyramids were not so high as those of Egypt though some have wider bases. One New World pyramid stands less than half the height of Egypt's tallest but its base covers three times the area. The American pyramids are piles of rubble and mortar plastered over with fitted layers of stone. Most of them are no older than 1500 years. And unlike the silent, serene tombs of Egypt, the New World pyramids were temples for everyday activities.