Ask Me Help Desk - Special discussion in honor of Stringer

Special discussion in honor of Stringer

This was posted on an appropriate forum, but the OP never responded to our encouragement to help us do her homework. Stringer and I thought it would be a zingy discussion topic. If you don't wish to participate, please gather 'round the dessert table Alty has set up in the hallway near the washrooms. (Yes, the desserts are leftovers from New Year's Day dinner, but still very edible. If you see any pet hairs, just pick them out.) The homework question was:

Explain what the significance and importance of the gods were to the ancient Egyptian people.

I am so excited.

Well, to begin with the Egyptians believed in an afterlife. I believe it was their goal to obtain an eternal life via their god/s.

Take it away... WG or anyone...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stringer

the Egyptians believed in an afterlife.

Did every Egyptian get to go to the afterlife, or only royalty?

Ancient egyptians believed that if you had a purpose in life, entrance to the afterlife would be possible; if you were a bricklayer, then that was possible, if your were a weaver then that was possible too. Not everyone had entrance, royalty had an obvious purpose.

The large pyramid structure evolved out of something much smaller called a mastabas, a structure made of bricks and plaster above ground, about the size of a large coffin.

Tick

Anubis was the guardian of the afterlife.
When you died in Ancient Egypt they believed that your soul traveled across the river Nile protected by Anubis.

Once you were safely at the bank at the other side your heart was weighed against a feather.
If your heart was heavier than the feather it was fed to a rather nasty little critter, if it was lighter than the feather you were allowed to travel forward.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shazamataz

Anubis was the guardian of the afterlife.
When you died in Ancient Egypt they believed that your soul traveled across the river Nile protected by Anubis.

What form did Anubis take? Why that form?

Quote:

Once you were safely at the bank at the other side your heart was weighed against a feather.
If your heart was heavier than the feather it was fed to a rather nasty little critter, if it was lighter than the feather you were allowed to travel forward.

Was there something you do during your life to guarantee that your heart would be lighter than a feather?

I haven't seen it mentioned but they also believed the Pharo's were gods amongst men. And that they too deserved worship while alive.

Yes and this began with Rames II to its fullest extent. Being a conduit to the gods was what it was prior and the Pharaoh's primary duty was to give them protection from all their enemies and to conquer. He lived so long that he had no one to conquer after the Hittites so he began a movement that transpired the Pharaoh to an equal of all the gods with his building of temples and statues of himself along side the gods (as their equal).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wondergirl

Was there something you do during your life to guarantee that your heart would be lighter than a feather?

yes, you had to be without doubt, blame, completely absolved from any sin during your lifetime. Your heart would then be weighed against all odds and if it came out blameless, then you could pass on.

I could site many references to this belief, but if I were to it discuss it here it would only serve to start a discussion on christian doctrines.

tick

Quote:

Originally Posted by tickle

I could site many references to this belief, but if I were to it discuss it here it would only serve to start a discussion on christian doctrines.

I think it would be a fine thing to cite sources. The topic on the table is ancient Egyptian, not Christian, beliefs.

Abu Simbel is a great example of this temple building:

Daily Travel Photo – Abu Simbel, Egypt

How DID they build the pyramids??

It seems they lost the plans somewhere along the line.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wondergirl

I think it would be a fine thing to cite sources. The topic on the table is ancient Egyptian, not Christian, beliefs.

Yes, I realized that, but there are too many parallels. Do you want me to start a discussion on these parallels because that would really draw away from ancient egypt wondergirl. Discussions here waundering away to religions would be distrastrous, IMO.

I adore the topic of egyptology, wondergirl, and that is where it should stay.

One thing we know Cal is that they were not built by slaves but by Egyptians that even had built their own small town right near the pyramids. They we the skilled labor and considered somewhat 'elite.'

There are all types of speculation: aliens, mystical forces (anti-gravity devices, etc). However I believe that they made use of what they knew and that was use of sand (plentiful) ramps either in a spiral or direct approach. As with the giant obelisks they dug a deep hole, added sand under the pillars and slid them into the hole. As when they built the giant oval pillars in the monuments, they built the first level, filled sand around them to the height of that first level, added the second, filled the area with sand again and so on. Until they were actually working at a great height but still had a ground (sand) base. Then removed all that sand to expose the pillars to actual ground level.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tickle

Yes, I realized that, but there are too many parallels. Do you want me to start a discussion on these parallels because that would really draw away from ancient egypt wondergirl. Discussions here waundering away to religions would be distrastrous, IMO.

I adore the topic of egyptology, wondergirl, and that is where it should stay.

Why discuss parallels? There's plenty to say regarding the Egyptian concept of the soul.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tickle

Yes, I realized that, but there are too many parallels. Do you want me to start a discussion on these parallels because that would really draw away from ancient egypt wondergirl. Discussions here waundering away to religions would be distrastrous, IMO.

I adore the topic of egyptology, wondergirl, and that is where it should stay.

Thanks. :)

[QUOTE=califdadof3;2652683]How DID they build the pyramids??

It seems they lost the plans somewhere along the line.[/QUOTE]

That is one of the many things that is so fascinating about ancient Egypt, the how and why.

It seems in many instances they described a lot (although most was to be hidden for eternity inside the tombs) and with other items nothing at all. I believe that this may have something to do with what knowledge the 'elite' wanted to keep to themselves. Knowledge is power.

Some question the abrupt development of the pyramids as if this knowledge was gained out of nowhere. However many years of pyramid attempts (with small results) were done evolving into the Great Pyramid we see today. Inotep (sp) is credited as the mastermind in designing the Great Pyramid.

You all may find this interesting:

Treasures Hidden in the Cairo Museum's Basement | Heritage Key

Quote:

Originally Posted by tickle

You all may find this interesting:

Treasures Hidden in the Cairo Museum's Basement | Heritage Key

Thanks Tick, that was interesting. I have always admired him.

WG, Anubis took on the form of a Jackal. Jackals were associated with the dead because where they buried a lot of bodies in ancient Egypt, Jackals would come and scavenge for food (yuck).

I can't seem to find Altys dessert table:confused:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just Dahlia

I can't seem to find Altys dessert table:confused:

Oooops, we had to move it. Members were filling up doggy bags to take home. You'll have to ask Alty where she moved it to.

From what I can tell, they didn't take it seriously, other than an idol curiosity. They were too busy fighting off those pesky Gargoyles. Then the Gargoyles got the upper hand, and that was the end. The Gargoyles were superb gamblers, and they ended up with everything. You couldn't find enough corn to pop up a bag of corn nuts. Then, to top it all off, the pole shift caused the Nile to run backwards, flooding all of the upper regions of the Saharha Desert, causing a huge mud hole that bogged things down further. Yea, it was doomed from the git go. It's amazing we have any records left at all. Cause after the Nile turned, it rained for 40 days and 40 nights so this guy had to build a floating barn yard. But he didn't build it big enough. The Dinosaurs didn't fit on board. When they tried to put some small ones on board, they kept eating the Do Do birds, so they threw them off. That's why you haven't seen any Do Do birds for a heck of a long time. There was only one left, when she ran aground. That one, lived for a long time and people came from miles around to look at it. It just sat there with a expressionless face. I don't blame him. To see you mate ate by a rowdy Dinosaur, then see the Dinosaur thrown off the floating barn yard. That would be enough to make anyone withdraw.
So, after the flood waters receded, The Egyptian rulers came out of the pyramids and that began the final period. The final period is almost over. Obama is the last Pharaoh.

Mag you didn't throw in the UFO theories.

Just a thought about the Pyramids.

The largest pyramid contains 2.3 million blocks.

It took aprox. 15 years to build (averaging different experts opinions).

Which works out to be '
``

2300000 / 15 = 153333.33 Blocks a year.

15333.33 / 365 = 420.91 blocks a day

420.91 / 24 = 17.54 blocks an hour

17.54 / 60 = .92 blocks a minute , 24 hours a day for 15 years.

That's industrius.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just Dahlia

I can't seem to find Altys dessert table:confused:

I moved it into one of the pyramids JD, just follow the jackals. :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Altenweg

I moved it into one of the pyramids JD, just follow the jackals. :)

Were you referring to me ? I'm looking for it too , so don't follow me I'm lost.

Quote:

Originally Posted by martinizing2

Were you referring to me ? I'm looking for it too , so don't follow me I'm lost.

It's the big pyramid in the middle. Just go to the left of the pyramid, then follow the jackals. I put a light on the desert table. I think Shazzy is there, so you better hurry before she eats everything. :(

Quote:

Originally Posted by Altenweg

It's the big pyramid in the middle. Just go to the left of the pyramid, then follow the jackals. I put a light on the desert table. I think Shazzy is there, so you better hurry before she eats everything. :(

Let nothing go to waste unless it goes yo mine. I am hurrying.

Quote:

Originally Posted by martinizing2

Just a thought about the Pyramids.

The largest pyramid contains 2.3 million blocks.

It took aprox. 15 years to build (averaging different experts opinions).

Which works out to be '
``

2300000 / 15 = 153333.33 Blocks a year.

15333.33 / 365 = 420.91 blocks a day

420.91 / 24 = 17.54 blocks an hour

17.54 / 60 = .92 blocks a minute , 24 hours a day for 15 years.

That's industrius.

Almost impossible when you consider that the blocks weighted tons.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stringer

Almost impossible when you consider that the blocks weighted tons.

My sentiments exactly.

Yep even with thousands of workers and at this time I don't believe that even had the wheel.

Actually, the blocks are styrofoam with a stucco façade. It's all just one big tourist trap. If you really want to see something cool, go to Detroit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stringer

Yep even with thousands of workers and at this time I don't believe that even had the wheel.

They had the wheel, Stringer. They fought with chariots and horses remember. In this case the wheel would not have helped. Not enough strength. They used tree trunks to roll the blocks along the ground; a conveyor idea. Roll one several feet then move the tree trunks to the front, and then continue, etc. Animal fat for greasing was used as well.

Tick

As for no one knowing how the pyramids were built, that is not necessarily true. We know basic truths about the assembly of the huge dressed stones that were the major building blocks of the pyramids. Workers lived on site for years and were actually paid for their labour in dressing these huge blocks.

Ramps with low pitches were used to elevate the huge blocks, again using the sliding method where possible with dressed tree trunks and platforms. As the pyramid became higher, the ramps were pitched lower around the pyramid as it was built. When assembly was complete, the sand ramps were dug away.

Tick

Quote:

Originally Posted by tickle

As for no one knowing how the pyramids were built, that is not necessarily true. We know basic truths about the assembly of the huge dressed stones that were the major building blocks of the pyramids. Workers lived on site for years and were actually paid for their labour in dressing these huge blocks.

Ramps with low pitches were used to elevate the huge blocks, again using the sliding method where possible with dressed tree trunks and platforms. As the pyramid became higher, the ramps were pitched lower around the pyramid as it was built. When assembly was complete, the sand ramps were dug away.

tick

Hi tick,

Considering the log, ramp, and wheel, being used it is still even more to accomplish to keep the pace of 1 block every minute, 24 hours a day, 365.25 days a year ,for 15 to 20 years.

Making wheels and cutting logs and building enormus ramps is going to take time and additional material and manhours.

And the ramps, logs, and platforms are theories , not yet proven truths.

So far, I am convinced that no one has a plausible explanation.

The more we learn, the less we know.:confused:

Or so it seems.;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by martinizing2

Hi tick,

Considering the log, ramp, and wheel, being used it is still even more to accomplish to keep the pace of 1 block every minute, 24 hours a day, 365.25 days a year ,for 15 to 20 years.

Making wheels and cutting logs and building enormus ramps is going to take time and additional material and manhours.

And the ramps, logs, and platforms are theories , not yet proven truths.

So far, I am convinced that no one has a plausible explanation.

The more we learn, the less we know.:confused:

Or so it seems.;)

You have your druthers, I have mine. Nice to see you posting again, m. I imagine Professor Hawas (curator of the Cairo Museum) has a pretty good idea, given that he has been on site of almost every major discovery in the last 25 years or so. Totally too bad what happened at his museum. The looting, destruction.

Tick

Tick

Quote:

Originally Posted by tickle

You have your druthers, i have mine. Nice to see you posting again, m. I imagine Professor Hawas (curator of the Cairo Museum) has a pretty good idea, given that he has been on site of almost every major discovery in the last 25 years or so. Totally too bad what happened at his museum. The looting, destruction.

tick

tick

If he doesn't agree with me , I don't think his ideas are too good.

Beside that, many looters can make the same claim , plus... they were at many Hawas doesn't even know about!
You don't hear them shooting off any "information" about how the pyramids were built.

;)M2

Quote:

Originally Posted by martinizing2

If he doesn't agree with me , I don't think his ideas are too good.

Beside that, many looters can make the same claim , plus ... they were at many Hawas doesn't even know about!
You don't hear them shooting off any "information" about how the pyramids were built.

;)M2

I didn't say my info came from him (if that is what you think I meant). I just meant, he is the foremost Egyptologist, so guess he has some ideas.

The looting was well documented in our Toronto Star the other day; in particular a 4000 year old wooden chariot was broken into bits by the looters. I don't think that will likely be repaired anytime soon.

I meant the looters and robbers at the Cairo Museum during the recent uprising there.

What are you talking about ? The same thing ?

Tick