Latest news with #Egyptologist
Time of India
7 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
What? The Great Pyramid doesn't just have four sides, there's more to it
The Great Pyramid of Giza has long been one of the most iconic symbols of ancient Egypt and human potential. It has stood the test of time by standing still on the Egyptian desert sand for the last 4500 years and has attracted generations of scholars, explorers, and tourists worldwide. The timeless grandeur and detailed geometric design of the marvel have made many researchers call it a masterpiece of symmetry and engineering. Traditionally, the pyramid has been understood to have four sides, and each a perfect triangle converging to a point at the summit, reflecting the architectural brilliance of ancient Egyptian builders. But what if that perception was incomplete? Recent discoveries have begun to change the basis of how we view the Great Pyramid, telling that it may hold secrets that went unnoticed for centuries. Far from being a simple four-sided structure, new evidence suggests the pyramid actually has a more complex design, one that subtly strays far from first impressions. This discovery doesn't just challenge how we see it. It also leaves some mind-boggling questions on the viewer about the level of scientific and architectural excellence achieved by the ancient Egyptians. The Great Pyramid of Giza, also known as the Pyramid of Khufu, is the only wonder that still stands today among the 'Seven Wonders of the Ancient World'. The Great Pyramid of Giza has eight sides! For centuries, scholars believed the Great Pyramid of Giza had four perfectly flat faces. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo This understanding held until 1940, when British Egyptologist Flinders Petrie made a surprising observation. Under specific lighting conditions, Petrie noticed a subtle indentation running vertically down the center of each face. These depressions, though nearly invisible from ground level, indicated that the faces were not flat, but slightly concave. This suggests that the pyramid doesn't have just four sides, but eight. Each face is divided into two shallow planes by these concave curves, which are only visible under particular light conditions or from above. The Great Pyramid is even more complex in design, which is not seen in other pyramids of its kind. What are these concave faces ? The idea of concave faces was explored further in 1975 by Egyptologist IES Edwards in his book The Pyramids of Egypt. He wrote that the blocks were set in such a way that they sloped inward, creating the impression of a central depression. These findings were reinforced by a 2023 study published in Archaeological Discovery. Researcher Akio Kato wrote, 'The Great Pyramid at Giza is known to have an amazing character of concavity that each of its four faces is slightly indented along its central line, from base to peak. ' Kato's analysis highlights how this feature, invisible from typical vantage points, was likely intentional, suggesting an advanced understanding of geometry, optics, and perhaps even symbolic design. The ancient Egyptians' ability to execute such precision reinforces their reputation as master builders and visionaries. The Great Pyramid, it turns out, is not just an ancient wonder, but a puzzle still revealing its secrets.
New York Post
21-05-2025
- General
- New York Post
Expert identifies ancient ‘propaganda' praising an infamous pharaoh who may have challenged Moses
Ancient 'propaganda' that was used to support the Egyptian pharaoh who is believed to be a major character of the Old Testament has been spotted in Paris, according to an expert. Jean-Guillaume Olette-Pelletier, an Egyptologist from Paris-Sorbonne University and Institut Catholique de Paris, recently spoke with Fox News Digital about his findings, which are set to be published in the coming months. The expert found the propaganda, which is supportive of Ramesses II, on the 3,300-year-old obelisk that sits in Paris' Place de la Concorde. Olette-Pelletier saw the obelisk up close in 2021 after receiving permission to climb scaffolding to conduct research. Ramesses II, who was born in 1303 B.C. and died in 1213 B.C., is considered one of the most influential and powerful Egyptian rulers of the New Kingdom. The Egyptian monarch is often cited as the most likely candidate for the pharaoh mentioned in Exodus, though an explicit name was never given in the Old Testament. The pharaoh is said to have retaliated against Moses and refused his requests in Exodus — resulting in a series of plagues. Olette-Pelletier called the pro-Ramesses hieroglyphs 'propaganda.' 3 The Luxor obelisk on the Place de la Concorde in Paris seen on May 15, 2025. AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard He identified seven cryptographies, or codes, which assert Ramesses II's authority from 1280 B.C. on. 'It was a message from Ramesses II to the nobility,' the expert said, noting the Egyptian nobility were able to read the codes. Olette-Pelletier said Ramesses II was born before his father Seti I became pharaoh – and therefore was not conceived by the gods. Not being of divine essence could have hampered his legitimacy to the throne. 'The nobility, able to read cryptographies, might be tempted by an overthrow of power since Ramesses II was not born of theogamy and therefore not divine by birth,' Olette-Pelletier said. 3 Egyptian hieroglyphs seen on the side of the Luxor obelisk. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier The expert added, '[Ramesses II] spent the first two years of his reign emphasizing his divinity with his wife Nefertari by paying homage at Egypt's great shrines, and by buying priests.' 'In the process, he changed his name from Usermaatra to Usermaatra Setepenra, [which means] 'chosen of Ra.'' The obelisk has four sides, and Olette-Pelletier noted that the side that faces the Seine (and was intended to face the Nile) shows Ramesses II 'wearing the double crown of Upper and Lower Egypt.' The expert also said that Ramesses II 'underlined his divine knowledge' by using codes to convey the swaying messages. 3 According to French Egyptologist Jean-Guillaume Olette-Pelletier, the obelisk has ancient propaganda in support of Ramesses II is written on the side. AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard 'The obelisk also contains hidden texts that show the nobility that he is a legitimate and divine king, thus averting a possible coup d'état,' Olette-Pelletier said. 'So, indeed, these are propaganda texts.' The cryptographies also claim that Ramesses II was the 'provider of the Nile flood and thus of the country's wealth,' according to Olette-Pelletier. The discovery is one of many finds related to Ramesses II that have been uncovered in the past year. In September, an ancient sword belonging to Ramesses' military was unearthed in Housh Eissa, a city in Egypt's Beheira Governorate. In January, Egyptian officials announced they would begin to restore Ramesses II's temple in the Luxor Governorate, the Ramesseum.
Fox News
21-05-2025
- General
- Fox News
Expert identifies ancient 'propaganda' praising pharaoh who may have challenged Moses
Ancient "propaganda" that was used to support the Egyptian pharaoh who is believed to be a major character of the Old Testament has been spotted in Paris, according to an expert. Jean-Guillaume Olette-Pelletier, an Egyptologist from Paris-Sorbonne University and Institut Catholique de Paris, recently spoke with Fox News Digital about his findings, which are set to be published in the coming months. The expert found the propaganda, which is supportive of Ramesses II, on the 3,300-year-old obelisk that sits in Paris' Place de la Concorde. Olette-Pelletier saw the obelisk up close in 2021 after receiving permission to climb scaffolding to conduct research. Ramesses II, who was born in 1303 B.C. and died in 1213 B.C., is considered one of the most influential and powerful Egyptian rulers of the New Kingdom. The Egyptian monarch is often cited as the most likely candidate for the pharaoh mentioned in Exodus, though an explicit name was never given in the Old Testament. The pharaoh is said to have retaliated against Moses and refused his requests in Exodus — resulting in a series of plagues. Olette-Pelletier called the pro-Ramesses hieroglyphs "propaganda." He identified seven cryptographies, or codes, which assert Ramesses II's authority from 1280 B.C. on. "It was a message from Ramesses II to the nobility," the expert said, noting the Egyptian nobility were able to read the codes. Olette-Pelletier said Ramesses II was born before his father Seti I became pharaoh – and therefore was not conceived by the gods. Not being of divine essence could have hampered his legitimacy to the throne. "The nobility, able to read cryptographies, might be tempted by an overthrow of power since Ramesses II was not born of theogamy and therefore not divine by birth," Olette-Pelletier said. The expert added, "[Ramesses II] spent the first two years of his reign emphasizing his divinity with his wife Nefertari by paying homage at Egypt's great shrines, and by buying priests." "In the process, he changed his name from Usermaatra to Usermaatra Setepenra, [which means] 'chosen of Ra.'" The obelisk has four sides, and Olette-Pelletier noted that the side that faces the Seine (and was intended to face the Nile) shows Ramesses II "wearing the double crown of Upper and Lower Egypt." The expert also said that Ramesses II "underlined his divine knowledge" by using codes to convey the swaying messages. "The obelisk also contains hidden texts that show the nobility that he is a legitimate and divine king, thus averting a possible coup d'état," Olette-Pelletier said. "So, indeed, these are propaganda texts." The cryptographies also claim that Ramesses II was the "provider of the Nile flood and thus of the country's wealth," according to Olette-Pelletier. The discovery is one of many finds related to Ramesses II that have been uncovered in the past year. In September, an ancient sword belonging to Ramesses' military was unearthed in Housh Eissa, a city in Egypt's Beheira Governorate. In January, Egyptian officials announced they would begin to restore Ramesses II's temple in the Luxor Governorate, the Ramesseum.
Egypt Independent
20-05-2025
- General
- Egypt Independent
Is Queen Nefertiti's mummy about to be revealed?
International newspapers several years ago reported the discovery of Queen Nefertiti's mummy, citing an English researcher more interested in fame than science. Naturally, I opposed the publication of such sensational, unverified news. At the time, I challenged every piece of alleged evidence the English researcher presented. During our debates, I lacked scientific data on the purported Nefertiti mummy. However, after the English researcher examined this mummy using x-rays, I wasn't able to refute its results. The mummy that is claimed to be Queen Nefertiti, the wife of King Akhenaten, was first discovered in 1898 by French Egyptologist Victor Loret within a cache of mummies in Tomb #35 in the Valley of the Kings, which belonged to King Amenhotep II. Years after the cache of mummies in Amenhotep II's tomb was revealed, Howard Carter, renowned for discovering Tutankhamun's tomb, relocated nine identified mummies – including those of Kings Thutmose IV, Amenhotep III, and Merneptah (son of the famous Ramesses II) – to Cairo. The story behind these caches dates back to the 21st Dynasty. At the time, Amon's priests sought to protect the royal mummies from widespread tomb robberies. To do so, they moved the mummies from their original burial sites to nearby tombs, and then to various hidden caches. The most famous of these is undoubtedly the Deir el-Bahari cache, unearthed in 1881. Carter left three mummies inside Amenhotep II's tomb, the first of which he named the 'Elder Lady.' Through the Royal Mummies Study Project, which I've led for years, we later confirmed that the Elder Lady's mummy is indeed the famous Queen Tiye, wife of King Amenhotep III, known as the 'Pasha of Ancient Egypt's Pharaohs,' and the mother of King Akhenaten. Next to Queen Tiye's mummy lay another mummy of a young boy, whom I believe to be a son of King Amenhotep III who died young, leaving the throne to his brother Akhenaten. The third mummy, the subject of this article, was initially believed by the French Egyptologist Loret to be that of a young boy with a bald head, a missing right arm, and a crushed area below the face. This mummy, known as the 'Younger Lady,' is the one that is widely proclaimed to be Queen Nefertiti, the wife of King Akhenaten. She lived alongside her husband during their struggles against the priests of Amun, moved with him to Amarna, and bore him six daughters, one of whom married the famous boy king Tutankhamun. However, upon Queen Tiye's (Nefertiti's mother-in-law) arrival in Amarna, Nefertiti completely withdrew from public life, living separately from Akhenaten in her palace with her daughters. Scientists have never found the tomb or the mummy of the beautiful queen, yet her fame endures through her exquisite bust displayed in the Berlin Museum. The struggle between us and the museum regarding the return of the queen's head to her homeland, Egypt, continues. Under my leadership, we successfully established the first-of-its-kind Egyptian Project for the Study of Royal and Non-Royal Mummies. This ambitious project aims to create a comprehensive database and record of all mummies located in tombs and storage facilities. Furthermore, it involves studying royal mummies using the latest CT-Scan technology and establishing the only DNA laboratory in the world specifically dedicated to mummy studies. This lab was initially located in the basement of the Egyptian Museum before being transferred to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Fustat. We initially used the CT scanner to uncover the secrets of the controversial 'Younger Lady' mummy, which had been popularized as Nefertiti's. However, our studies concluded that she had no connection to Queen Nefertiti. One of the arguments proposed in favor of this being Nefertiti was the mummy's right arm position. When the mummy was discovered, its right arm was missing, though two separate arms were found nearby: one straight and one bent. While scientists initially believed the straight arm belonged to the mummy, a later study, using mummy measurements and x-ray analysis, revealed that the bone density of the straight arm differed from the rest of the body. This led him to conclude that the bent arm was the correct one. If true, the woman would have one straight left arm extending along her body and a bent right arm across her chest. This specific arm positioning, one straight and one bent, was a tradition reserved for queens. However, this doesn't confirm her identity as Nefertiti, as many other ancient Egyptian queen mummies have yet to be identified. The next article will delve deeper into the true identity of the Younger Lady mummy, fully dispelling the long-held belief that she was Queen Nefertiti.
See - Sada Elbalad
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
Grand Egyptian Museum Launches 2nd Edition of 'GEM Talks'
Ali abo deshish The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) has launched the second edition of its distinguished cultural series, 'GEM Talks', under the theme 'From Past to Present: A Dialogue on Design and Heritage.' This edition featured an inspiring conversation between renowned Egyptian jewelry designer Azza Fahmy, founder of the iconic jewelry house that bears her name, and Amina Ghali, the brand's lead designer. They were joined by Dr. Yasmin El-Shazly, a distinguished Egyptologist, in a rich artistic dialogue that explored how heritage and storytelling intersect with modern design. The discussion highlighted the enduring influence of ancient Egyptian aesthetics in Azza Fahmy's jewelry collections, showcasing how historical symbols and visual narratives continue to inspire contemporary craftsmanship. The speakers also addressed modern approaches to creative collaboration that reinterpret the legacy of Egyptian civilization through design. In his opening remarks, Dr. Ahmed Ghoneim, CEO of the Grand Egyptian Museum Authority, underscored that cultural heritage is not merely a reference point from the past, but a living source of inspiration and a storytelling medium. He emphasized that creatives bear a cultural responsibility to preserve and reimagine this legacy in ways that resonate with the present. read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers Lifestyle Pistachio and Raspberry Cheesecake Domes Recipe News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War
