Random notes from our family's tour of Memphis, Sakara, Giza, and more.
Ancient living took place on the east of the Nile because the sun rose in the east, the beginning. All 114 Egyptian pyramids are on the west bank of the nile, where the sun sets, as representing the end of life.
Sphinx meant blended, wisdom of man in the head and the power of the animal body--lions, representing the most feared of the animals in Africa. These were guardians of the tombs.
No ancient residences can be found in Egypt--there is no clear archaeological remains of dwellings to know how these great civilizations lived--because burial place were to be eternal homes and so the latter are built with the best materials and greater attention to detail/perfection.
Imhotep (one who comes in peace), who was second to Pharaoh & possible perfecter of the pyramid designs, may have been Biblical Joseph according to new archeological findings and postulations.
Body hair was impure and all would be removed; however, interaction with foreigners who thought long beards represented wisdom. So, and the statues represent this, Pharaohs would have these fake braided beards that were attached with straps--you can see the straps across the cheeks on the statutes. When the beard on the statue is curved, the statue was created after he death of the subject--straight beards were during the life.
The Great Pyramid of Giza is the largest; his sons pyramid is slightly smaller out of respect, but he built it on a higher elevation -- now, the Great Pyramid has about 9 meters of erosion at the top, while the remaining original limestone casing of the second pyramid is intact, preserving the top. The limestone casing was removed in a primitive effort to find the entrances.
Napoleon should be credited with much of our knowledge of the Giza pyramid site. When he arrived, he brought dozens of scholars who recorded details about the pyramids and area before the limestone coverings were removed. When he arrived, only the sphinx's head was exposed and he ordered his men to dig and find the body below--surprised to find the body of a lion along the way.
Here's a few pics of our day...
Ancient living took place on the east of the Nile because the sun rose in the east, the beginning. All 114 Egyptian pyramids are on the west bank of the nile, where the sun sets, as representing the end of life.
Sphinx meant blended, wisdom of man in the head and the power of the animal body--lions, representing the most feared of the animals in Africa. These were guardians of the tombs.
No ancient residences can be found in Egypt--there is no clear archaeological remains of dwellings to know how these great civilizations lived--because burial place were to be eternal homes and so the latter are built with the best materials and greater attention to detail/perfection.
Imhotep (one who comes in peace), who was second to Pharaoh & possible perfecter of the pyramid designs, may have been Biblical Joseph according to new archeological findings and postulations.
Body hair was impure and all would be removed; however, interaction with foreigners who thought long beards represented wisdom. So, and the statues represent this, Pharaohs would have these fake braided beards that were attached with straps--you can see the straps across the cheeks on the statutes. When the beard on the statue is curved, the statue was created after he death of the subject--straight beards were during the life.
The Great Pyramid of Giza is the largest; his sons pyramid is slightly smaller out of respect, but he built it on a higher elevation -- now, the Great Pyramid has about 9 meters of erosion at the top, while the remaining original limestone casing of the second pyramid is intact, preserving the top. The limestone casing was removed in a primitive effort to find the entrances.
Napoleon should be credited with much of our knowledge of the Giza pyramid site. When he arrived, he brought dozens of scholars who recorded details about the pyramids and area before the limestone coverings were removed. When he arrived, only the sphinx's head was exposed and he ordered his men to dig and find the body below--surprised to find the body of a lion along the way.
Here's a few pics of our day...
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| the smaller sphinx at Memphis, the original & coronation capital of Egypt |
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| large statue of Ramses II |
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| burial site of a nobel in Sakara, near Step Pyramid -- best and amazing carvings lined the walls within |
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| the mound above is the remains of a badly weathered and plundered early pyramid; we went in 45 meters down at about 45 degrees (hunched over), then after a couple meters to stand, we hunched over and went another 25 meters to the burial room and treasure room. |
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| in the mummy's sarcophagus -- the first order of business for a pyramid robber was to smash the head of the mummy so not to be chased taking their riches. |
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| The Step Pyramid, an early model, is painstakingly being restored by dating and returning fallen bricks like a giant puzzle to the pyramid. |
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| from the court yard of the Step Pyramid looking into the temple |
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| a magnificent oasis for traditional Egyptian lunch |
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| it's impossible for pics to tell you how magnificent the scale and engineering marvel these ancient wonders really are. |
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| family at the pyramids |
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| we rode camels, too -- a great deal of balance and trepidation went into this kiss |
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| kissing the Sphinx is a traditional pose |
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| the sun begins setting on our wonderful experience |
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