True North Across Civilizations: Comparative Study of Pyramid Alignments in Five Continents

Abstract

This study investigates the precise orientation of ancient pyramidal structures to true north across five continents. Using data from LIDAR scans, geodetic measurements, and archaeological records, we compare the cardinal alignment accuracy of major pyramids in Egypt, China, Bosnia, Sudan (Nubia), the United States, and Latin America. The Bosnian Pyramid of the Sun demonstrates a remarkable alignment—within 12 arcseconds of true north—confirmed by the Bosnian Geodetic Institute and high-resolution LIDAR analysis. Similar, though slightly less precise, orientations are observed in the Egyptian pyramids of Giza and Dahshur. Chinese pyramids, notably the Yangling Mausoleum, exhibit deliberate near-north alignment, while Nubian pyramids show consistent cardinal orientation. Monumental structures in North and Central America, such as Monks Mound at Cahokia (Illinois), El Castillo at Chichen Itza (Mexico), and Temple I at Tikal (Guatemala), also display north-facing or astronomically calibrated orientations. The study highlights a recurring architectural phenomenon across time and space: the intentional orientation of sacred structures toward cardinal directions—especially true north—suggesting shared symbolic or astronomical priorities among diverse ancient civilizations.