Dendera light
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The "Dendera light" comprises three stone reliefs (one single and a double representation) in the Hathor temple at the Dendera Temple complex located in Egypt. The images are interpreted by traditional Egyptologists as depicting lotus flowers spawning a snake, representing aspects of Egyptian mythology:
The splendid but enigmatic reliefs of the crypt are cosmogonical and depict the serpent (dualizing principle underlying all creation: In Genesis the separation of heaven and earth) borne aloft by the lotus, the symbol of creation as a manifestation of consciousness.
In contrast to the mainstream interpretation, there is a fringe hypothesis according to which the reliefs depict Ancient Egyptian electrical technology, based on comparison to similar modern devices (such as Geissler tubes, Crookes tubes, and arc lamps).[1][2] J. N. Lockyer's passing reference to a colleague's humorous suggestion that electric lamps would explain the absence of lampblack deposits in the tombs has sometimes been forwarded as an argument supporting this particular interpretation (in reality, the serious argument being made is the use of a system of reflective mirrors).[3] Proponents of this fringe interpretation have also used a text referring to "high poles covered with copper plates" to argue this[4] but Dr. Bolko Stern has written in detail explaining why the copper covered tops of poles (which were lower than the associated pylons) do not relate to electricity or lightning, pointing out that no evidence of anything used to manipulate electricty had been found in Egypt and that this was a magical and not a technical installation.[5] Engineers[who?] have constructed a working model based on their interpretation of the relief and some authors (such as Peter Krassa and Reinhard Habeck) have produced a basic theory of the device's operation.[6]
 Double representation on the right wall. |
 Double representation on the right wall. |
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
- ^ Childress, D. H. (2000). Technology of the gods: the incredible sciences of the ancients. Kempton, Ill: Adventures Unlimited Press. ISBN 0932813739
- ^ Electricity in ancient times. WUFOC and NÄRKONTAKT.
- ^ Lockyer, J. Norman [1894] (1998). The Dawn of Astronomy. Kessinger Publishing, 180-1. ISBN 1564591123.
- ^ Bruno Kolbe, Francis ed Legge, Joseph Skellon, tr., "An Introduction to Electricity". Kegan Paul, Trench, Trübner, 1908. 429 pages. Page 391. (cf., "[...] high poles covered with copper plates and with gilded tops were erected 'to break the stones coming from on high'. J. Dümichen, Baugeschichte des Dendera-Tempels, Strassburg, 1877")
- ^ Stern, Bolko (1896 reprinted 1998). Ägyptische Kulturgeschichte. Reprint-Verlag-Leipzig, 106-108. ISBN 978-3826219085.
- ^ Krassa, P., and R. Habeck, "Das Licht der Pharaonen.". ISBN 3-548-35657-5 (Tr. The Light of the Pharaohs)
[edit] External links
- The Dendera Reliefs, Catchpenny Mysteries.
- Frank Dörnenburg, Electric lights in Egypt?. 2004. (ed. An analysis of how the Egyptians didn't have electricity).
