Our Egypt/Jordan vacation

[earth_as_one]

Recent archeological evidence suggests that the pyramids weren't built by slaves.

Who Built the Pyramids?

Contrary to some popular depictions, the pyramid builders were not slaves or foreigners. Excavated skeletons show that they were Egyptians who lived in villages developed and overseen by the pharaoh's supervisors.

The builders' villages boasted bakers, butchers, brewers, granaries, houses, cemeteries, and probably even some sorts of health-care facilities—there is evidence of laborers surviving crushed or amputated limbs. Bakeries excavated near the Great Pyramids could have produced thousands of loaves of bread every week.

Some of the builders were permanent employees of the pharaoh. Others were conscripted for a limited time from local villages. Some may have been women: Although no depictions of women builders have been found, some female skeletons show wear that suggests they labored with heavy stone for long periods of time.

Graffiti indicates that at least some of these workers took pride in their work, calling their teams "Friends of Khufu," "Drunkards of Menkaure," and so on—names indicating allegiances to pharaohs.

An estimated 20,000 to 30,000 workers built the Pyramids at Giza over 80 years. Much of the work probably happened while the River Nile was flooded.

Huge limestone blocks could be floated from quarries right to the base of the Pyramids. The stones would likely then be polished by hand and pushed up ramps to their intended positions.

It took more than manual labor, though. Architects achieved an accurate pyramid shape by running ropes from the outer corners up to the planned summit, to make sure the stones were positioned correctly. And priests-astronomers helped choose the pyramids' sites and orientations, so that they would be on the appropriate axis in relation to sacred constellations.

From stone pusher to priest, every worker would likely have recognized his or her role in continuing the life-and-death cycle of the pharaohs, and thereby in perpetuating the glory of Egypt.


National Geographic: Egypt Pyramids--Facts, Photos, Diagrams

Life along the Nile was relatively easy. In a few months, a farmer could easily produce enough food for a year. The rest of the time would have been idle, drinking beer, womanizing and complaining about the Pharoah. Pyramid building was probably a sporting event designed to keep people busy and loyal to the Pharoah.

That's why I think its possible that the pyramids were built by athletes during annual competitions. Villages would send their most athletic people to the site. People were paid for their services like professional athletes. The Pharoah likely awarded prizes to individuals and entire villages based on who moved the biggest and most blocks. The motivation of the workers was similar to athletes who compete at the Olympics or the Superbowl.

 

[SirJosephPorter]

Just a few questions about the construction of the Great Pyramids.
Has a date of their construction ever been established?
Has there even been any documentations likely diaries or journals found?
Does the type of rock used fit in with existing rock formation in the surrounding area?
Are there any holes in existance from which these rocks could have been excavated?
As these rocks were obvioiusly cut to size, has it been determned what type of tool was used and have any old discarded tools been found?

The Great pyramid of Giza was built around 2550 BC, about 4500 years ago. It is the only surviving wonder from the ancient Seven Wonders of the World.

Most of the Egyptian pyramids were built by the Old Kingdom, between 2100 and 2550 B.C. As to the documentation, there is plenty of documentation, in the form of carvings. It is in the form of hieroglyphics. Hieroglyphics was a form of picture language, a very primitive one. My wife bought a gold necklace with her name engraved on it in hieroglyphics.

The carvings mostly tell stories of battles, of Gods etc.

As to the holes in existence, we did visit a sandstone quarry, where an obelisk lies on its side. Queen Hatshepsut was one of the few female Pharaohs, and she tried to outdo male Pharaohs (‘penis envy’, according to our tour guide). She erected two obelisks taller than any other Pharaoh. But she also commissioned a huge obelisk, which they could not transport out of the quarry. It still lies on it side in the quarry.

So yes, at least one such hole (or quarry) is still in existence. But here is the question. Obelisk is a tall needle, up to 100 feet tall. How did they get the obelisk in the air, how did they make it vertical?

As to the type of tools, they were very primitive, like hammer and chisel. They achieved the effect they wanted simply by persistence, and by years (or decades) of hard and skilled labour.

 

[JLM]

The Great pyramid of Giza was built around 2550 BC, about 4500 years ago. It is the only surviving wonder from the ancient Seven Wonders of the World.

Most of the Egyptian pyramids were built by the Old Kingdom, between 2100 and 2550 B.C. As to the documentation, there is plenty of documentation, in the form of carvings. It is in the form of hieroglyphics. Hieroglyphics was a form of picture language, a very primitive one. My wife bought a gold necklace with her name engraved on it in hieroglyphics.

The carvings mostly tell stories of battles, of Gods etc.

As to the holes in existence, we did visit a sandstone quarry, where an obelisk lies on its side. Queen Hatshepsut was one of the few female Pharaohs, and she tried to outdo male Pharaohs (‘penis envy’, according to our tour guide). She erected two obelisks taller than any other Pharaoh. But she also commissioned a huge obelisk, which they could not transport out of the quarry. It still lies on it side in the quarry.

So yes, at least one such hole (or quarry) is still in existence. But here is the question. Obelisk is a tall needle, up to 100 feet tall. How did they get the obelisk in the air, how did they make it vertical?

As to the type of tools, they were very primitive, like hammer and chisel. They achieved the effect they wanted simply by persistence, and by years (or decades) of hard and skilled labour.

Thanks for the education, S.J.

 

[TenPenny]

Would be spectacular to see, I'm sure.

It's amazing to look at things like this, and realize how long ago they were built; they'd be major undertakings now, with all of our technology. Hard to believe they could even conceive of such things, thousands of years ago.

 

[petros]

The Great pyramid of Giza was built around 2550 BC, about 4500 years ago. It is the only surviving wonder from the ancient Seven Wonders of the World.

Did you notice the pre dynastic exhibits in the Cairo museum are far more exquisite than anything in the dynasties and are around 12,000 years old?

 

[Downhome_Woman]

Hello, I am back!!! I spent a most enjoyable two weeks in Egypt and London, soaking up the ancient culture.

I don’t think there is any point in boring you with Tutankhamen, Ramses II (he was a regular megalomaniac, another Saddam Hussein), Nefertity, Temple of Karnak, Temple of Horus etc. (well, Spade may be interested in Temple of Horus, he is interested in the ancient Gods, and he has posted many times about Horus). Besides, you can Google for all that anyway. I will upload some of the photos into my album in the next few days.

However, in Egypt I came across a truly bizarre method of bargaining, of haggling, probably unique in the world. I will describe that in the next post.

Anyway, it is good to be back. These exotic places may be great to visit (and I wouldn’t mind visiting Egypt and Jordan again, sometime in future), but there is no place like home.

Welcome back. Egypt is indeed a wonderful place to visit. I spent six months there in 1977 and was fortunate to travel through what was then called the Buffer Zone, between Egypt and Israel.

 

[talloola]

Yep, I think in those days Unions may have had their place and probably would have received a little respect.

if someone even thought or mentioned worker protection,
they probably had their head cut off.

 

[talloola]

Quite right, talloola. Today we stand in awe in front of these monuments and admire the skill, dexterity and the vision of our ancestors (and in a way, the Pharaohs and others are the ancestors of all of us, of humankind).

However, the story behind these achievements is one of exploitation, slavery and misery in general. Indeed, our tour guide told us that the reason the Old Kingdom (that was when they built the giant pyramids) was ruined was that they ran out of resources building the pyramids. There was several centuries of chaos in Egypt before the Middle kingdom took shape.

I remember when we visited India, we stood in awe in front of the Taj Mahal, it is truly a majestic sight. However, legend has it that the Muslim emperor, Shah Jahan cut off the arms of the architect as soon as he was finished building the Taj Mahal (so that he may not build anything comparable anywhere else in the world).

It is just as well not to judge our ancestors by today’s standards, most of them would be found sorely lacking. What they did is in the past, long past. Now all we can do is admire the sights and their achievements.

what will the people of the future think of us when they
see our ancient ruins and buildings.

 

[Goober]

Did you go to Petra? And, if not, why not?

Petra would be interesting -- In particular the way they managed their source of water.

 

[SirJosephPorter]

Welcome back. Egypt is indeed a wonderful place to visit. I spent six months there in 1977 and was fortunate to travel through what was then called the Buffer Zone, between Egypt and Israel.

If you were there that long ago, were you able to cruise the Nile from Cairo to Aswan? These days they operate cruises only from Luxor to Aswan, but I was told that previously they used to operate cruises from Cairo to Aswan, before all the trouble with terrorism started.

I was told that there is plenty to see between Cairo to Luxor stretch, which the tourists miss these days.

 

[Downhome_Woman]

If you were there that long ago, were you able to cruise the Nile from Cairo to Aswan? These days they operate cruises only from Luxor to Aswan, but I was told that previously they used to operate cruises from Cairo to Aswan, before all the trouble with terrorism started.

I was told that there is plenty to see between Cairo to Luxor stretch, which the tourists miss these days.

I never took the tour, but you're correct - many people I knew did go to Luxor. I spent my leave in Israel. I'd always wanted to go and I was actually able to go by crossing the desert through the Buffer Zone. It was amazing. I also spent much time in Cairo, Port Said and Suez City. I had a truly unique experience - especially as I had wanted to be an Egyptologist from the time I was about 8. That plan ran afoul when I found out that I needed more math than I was able to do, but the love of archeology and of Egypt remained. I could have spent days in the Cairo Museum!

 

[SirJosephPorter]

Why would Egyptology need plenty of math? Not that I am doubting you, but I do find that surprising.

 

[Downhome_Woman]

Why would Egyptology need plenty of math? Not that I am doubting you, but I do find that surprising.

Trust me - for some reason, archeology needs bunches of math.:x

 

[Downhome_Woman]

Why would Egyptology need plenty of math? Not that I am doubting you, but I do find that surprising.

If you think about it, it makes sense. Archaeology may be a lot of digging and field work, but it's also in the lab - tests, measurements - the whole lot. Either way, I didn't cut it, math wise.
Oh well!:-(

 

[Nuggler]

Tell us more about Ramses, Sir Joseph, please.

:blob2ooooooooooooh!!! more more more.

Enjoyed your pics, but no freakin trees.

:lol:

 

[Mowich]

I also enjoyed your photos - very much, Joseph. Thank you for sharing them.

 

[Downhome_Woman]

I did have several misconceptions about Egypt before going there. Essentially I thought that it was similar to Saudi Arabia, a strict Islamic country.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Women there only wear a head scarf, we saw very few women in total veil or chador. Some Egyptian women go with bare heads (they may have been Christians).

Indeed, in places frequented by tourists (such as Cairo Museum) I saw some women in western dress (sleeveless blouse etc.), some were smoking. Egypt evidently has a very relaxed attitude, at least towards the tourists. There is also no prohibition against women driving (I saw several women drivers); on public buses men and women sit together.

Same thing in Jordan. We lived in Aqaba (on the Red Sea) for one night. I went to use the gym. The woman sitting outside smiled at me, asked me if she could help me etc. I didn’t think Muslim women did that, at least not in Islamic countries.

Anyway, it was quite a contrast from what one reads in the papers or sees on television. Probably that is more representative of countries like Saudi Arabia (we went very close to the Saudi border; Aqaba is just 20 km from Saudi border).

Like every where and every religion, there is no one single stereotype.Islam in Egypt is more strict now than it was when I was there. I was listening to a woman on CBC who was saying that in Iran, her mother had never worn a head scarf. go into the rural villages of Afghanistan and you'll find where the Chador was born. In the urban areas? They stopped wearing it and it was only forced back on them when the Taliban came into power. It's like all religions throughout the world in that there is no one form that is followed. I wished more people traveled, SJP - they might find that out.

 

[SirJosephPorter]

Tell us more about Ramses, Sir Joseph, please.

:blob2ooooooooooooh!!! more more more.

Enjoyed your pics, but no freakin trees.

:lol:

I think there were eight Ramses in all. Out of that, Ramses 2 was the most famous. He has many statues, temples to his credit, he was a regular megalomaniac.

In Abu Simbel, there are two temples side by side, those of Ramses and his wife Nefertari. Somehow the other Ramses did not build so many temples or erected so many statues in their own honour.

 

[SirJosephPorter]

For those who haven't found the photos (and may be interested in looking at them), the photos could be viewed at the following link:

Photos from Egypt/Jordan Photo Album

 

[SirJosephPorter]

A few more observations. We stayed at a Dead Sea resort in Jordan for one night (our hotel. Marriot, had its own private Dead Sea beach).

Dead Sea water is almost saturated salt solution. It is quite an experience to just lie on the water and float, without swimming. Basically you just lie down on the water and let it take you where it will (within a confined area of course). You must be careful not to get the water into your eyes, it stings like Hell.

Having lived in Salt Lake City for six years, I have been to the Great Salt Lake twice, there also the water is saturated salt solution (and you easily float on it). Lying flat on my back in the Dead Sea took me back more than 30 years.