Why Ask Why the Pyramids Were Built By Marcel Graeffe - Essay Example

? Summary: “Why Ask Why the Pyramids Were Built?” By Marcel Graeffe There have been several theories that exist regarding the origins of the Pyramids of Egypt, and all these have been debunked by latest research. One of these theories, according to Piazza Smyth, is that there are “extraordinary relationships between the Great Pyramid and the Earth…in the measurements of the inner passages of the Great Pyramid” (Graeffe). However, this seems to be untrue because of three possible claims: the Egyptians’ superior knowledge of geometry (qtd. in Lemesurier), everything could simply be coincidences (qtd. in De Jager), or Piazzi Smyth was biased in correlating British measurements with those of the pyramid (qtd. in Mendelssohn). Another theory surrounding the pyramids is that “pyramids are sources of tremendous energy” (Graeffe). Antoine Bovies theorized this when he thought garbage in the pyramid did not smell like usual garbage. Karel Drbal also added that dull razors sharpen when placed in the pyramid. Nevertheless, results were contradictory when the same situations were repeated in experiments (qtd. in Stiebing). Another famous theory about the origin of the pyramids is that, according to Erich von Daniken, “since dump trucks did not exist in Egyptian times, aliens must have aided in their construction” (Graeffe). However, Mark Lehner concluded that “with common sense and practice, the building of the pyramid with low technology was even easy” (qtd. in Hadingham). One more theory about the pyramids is that they are connected to the pyramids of South America and Mesopotamia. However, there are differences in function and development as well as dates of construction. One hypothesis advanced to explain the similarities is that the pyramid was “the easiest and the most stable way to create a structure out of…megalithic stone” (Graeffe). A fourth theory on the origin of the pyramids is the idea of using it as a tomb for the dead pharaohs. This theory however seems groundless as the pyramids contain “too many empty sarcophagi” (qtd. in Mendelssohn). If all the previous theories are unfounded, then what is the most feasible theory behind the construction of the pyramids? First, the construction was perhaps based on the tenets of the Egyptian religion, specifically on one principle: the cyclical nature of the universe. This implies that Egyptians should carry out religious procedures everyday “with perfection” for the eternal nature of life and the cosmos seems to depend on this discipline (Graeffe). Secondly, the building of the pyramids came with the invention of technology necessary for their construction. This marks an era of the building of huge edifices to act as funerary complexes, replicas of the royal palace, and places for religious rituals and festivals. Full cooperation among the farmers behind the construction was also expected since the building fostered a sense of pride and community among the workers as well as for the fulfillment of religious duty (qtd. in Mendelssohn). Lastly, the pyramids were built perhaps simply because “the form is spectacular [and that it] contrasts beautifully with the intense horizontality of the Ghiza” (Graeffe). This is the author’s point of view as an architect. Summary: “Treasures from the Royal Tombs of Ur” by Richard L. Zettler British archaeologist Leonard Woolley discovered something interesting the late 1920s: 1,850 intact burials in Ur in Mesopotamia, or present day Basrah in Southern Iraq (“The Royal Tombs”). The excavated burial ground had an area of 70 by 55 meters. Each tomb measured around 10 by 5 meters. Woolley determined that 660 of the burials belonged to the Early Dynastic Royal Cemetery. The earlier burials were “not uncommonly cut and undisturbed” while later burials were “commonly overlaid” (Zettler). Materials used in the construction of the tombs. The sides were made from earth hidden by reed matting. The floor was also covered by reed matting. A door, located in the southeast wall, separated the tomb chamber proper from the rest of the tomb. The walls of the tomb chamber proper were made of limestone rubble plastered with mud. The roof was made of baked bricks. The doorway was arched with baked bricks. The appearance of the buried bodies. The body was laid on its side, the legs were slightly flexed, and the arms and legs were in front of the breast. The body was usually holding a cup. Moreover, the body was clothed and accompanied by personal belongings. These may include “jewelry, cylinder seal, and dagger” (Zettler). There were also jars and bowls near the body. Depending on the wealth and status of the buried person, these jars and bowls contained weapons, tools, foodstuffs, and other things. As for the wealthier members of the royalty, such as the one buried in RT 789, the soldiers were buried with the wealthy man. These soldiers were carrying spears and wearing copper helmets. There were also two wagons in front of the entrance with a driver and three oxen that used to draw each. There were also 54 bodies lying on the floor, and a row of “richly adorned” women. Nevertheless, only few of these bodies were preserved. There were also animal bones , which were probably remains of food offerings. Additionally the following things were also found; a cooper shield, two sets of spears, a repousse relief with an insignia, a wooden lyre, gold and lapis lazuli. Summary: “Scientists Revisit and Aegean Eruption Far Worse Than Krakatoa” by William J. Broad Scholars have always believed that the cause of the eventual destruction of the Minoan civilization was the eruption of the Thera volcano in the Aegean more than 3,000 years ago in 1450 BC. However, with recent research concluding that the actual date of eruption of Thera was in 1645 BC, which was around 150 years before the said date, the previous hypothesis was challenged. Although experts like Prof. Jeremy B. Rutter would claim that no correlation existed, scientists and scholars are trying to establish a connection between the previous theory and the recent findings, and thus maintain that the original hypothesis remains credible. Since it was found out that the explosion of Thera was far more violent than that of Krakatoa in 1883, it is believed that Thera’s blasts affected the entire eastern Mediterranean. In fact, with a Volcanic Explosivity Index greater than that of Krakatoa, scientists believed that Thera spewed ash farther than the 3,000-mile-far and 20-mile-high blasts of the Indonesian volcano (Broad). One evidence for this claim includes excavated Minoan buildings, artifacts and a whole city called Akrotiri, which was buried under volcanic ash. These excavations were located on Santorini, where Thera is located. A second evidence is the fact that Thera’s ash fell mostly over the Aegean islands and the nearby waters, as confirmed by scientific maps. A third evidence is the discovery of ash at the bottom of the Black Sea and Nile delta , which means that the eruption did affect places as far as Egypt. Another evidence is that, according to Dr. Peter I. Kuniholm, trees buried in ash grew “three times as fast as normal” because the eruption caused cool and wet summers (Broad). A fifth evidence is the excavation of fresh roads buried in 10-feet-thick Thera ash somewhere in Anafi, 20 miles away from Thera. A sixth evidence is a hypothesis drawn from the eruption of Tambora in Indonesia in 1816, whose ash cloud produced a year without summer and eventually caused famine in the United States and Europe. One last evidence, as proposed by Dr. Ryan of Columbia, is the hypothesis that Thera’s ash flew as far as Egypt and Anatolia and destroyed wheat fields in these places. Since it also affected the Hyksos, who traded with the Minoans and who were hated and were not helped by the Egyptians, the Minoan civilization eventually suffered in terms of maritime trade. According to Dr. Jan Driessen of Belgium and Dr. MacDonald of Greece, the physical and economic changes brought about by Thera’s ash may have eventually caused civil wars and major social dislocations that finally ended the Minoan civilization. (Broad) Top of Form Bottom of Form Works Cited Broad, William J. “Scientists Revisit and Aegean Eruption Far Worse Than Krakatoa.” 2003. New York Times. Graeffe, Marcel. “Why Ask Why the Pyramids Were Built?” 2011. “The Royal Tombs of Ur: Story.” n.d. The British Museum: Ancient Civilizations: Mesopotamia.31 Aug 2011. < http://www.mesopotamia.co.uk/tombs/story/page01.html> Zettler, Richard L. “The Royal Cemetery of Ur.” 2011. The Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago. 31 Aug 2011. Zettler, Richard L. “The Royal Cemetery of Ur.” 2011. Treasures from the Royal Tombs of Ur. Read More