Pyramids and Psychic Archaeology

1) It’s clear that monument building was popular in many cultures around the world, and that they often built them in similar shapes, even though they had no contact with each other. Many people have proposed that it
must have been aliens who taught these different cultures to do this. We know, of course, that this is not true.
Using the scientific method, how would you explain the human construction of similar monuments around the world, in cultures that clearly had no contact with each other? In other words, why did they all choose the pyramid shape, as opposed to another shape? (Make sure you don’t just recount the steps of the scientific method – use the evidence in your course materials to make your case, scientifically). 2) Regardless of one’s perspective on psychic abilities or the presence of a supernatural creator, what are the benefits of using a scientific approach to understanding the world around us?