A Maya pyramid is a base with four triangular sides. Without metal tools, they built pyramids that were 200 feet high.  

The Mayas built two kinds of pyramids. Both pyramids had steep steps leading up to a flat top, but only one type of pyramid was designed to be used. The other was designed to be admired - it was designed to honor a god. Tikal, one of the major Mayas cities, had an especially large number of pyramids. Some were designed to be climbed, and some were not. 

The type of pyramid that was designed to be used was used by the priests. Priests climbed the pyramids to conduct ceremonies on the steps where everyone could see them.  The most important ceremonies were conducted at the very top of the pyramids. Because some ceremonies were held at the top of pyramids, Maya pyramids had flat tops.  

The other kind of pyramid looked remarkably similar. These pyramids also had flat tops and steep steps, but the steps were not to be used. These pyramids were built to honor a god. Of course, you could climb the steps, although they were very steep. You might even find a doorway here and there. The doorways led to tunnels that went nowhere. Some tunnels were rigged with deadly traps. 

The Maya people knew which pyramids were designed to be used and which were designed to be honored. But archaeologists today must tread very carefully, because it is sometimes hard to tell the two different types of Maya pyramids apart. 

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