What do I think so far about this process... I think there are so many theories out there that it will be hard for people to even bother reading about another theory. I think I'm going to special lengths to show things in a visual way, through videos and animations, because we don't really think visually in our modern world, yet the Egyptians did... for example our written language is based on phonics, that is when you read a word someone in California has created, there will be a good chance a person in New York will be able to pronounce it correctly. The Egyptian's used hieroglyphs... that is, they used PICTURES for words. Pictures of real world things. These pictures could describe something, like a circle for the Sun, and at the same time carry meaning. I think it is therefore extremely important to look at exactly how the early hieroglyphs were
exactly, and I mean exactly carved. Because, clues to the meaning function of their 'picture words' are revealed with the details. The carving of the Ankh is an example, look at the 'reflection' as I like to call it. It looks like an obelisk profile. Considering that hieroglyphs weren't read for 1500 years, even by the Egyptians, and that our interpretation of them is based on our 'modern' ability to 'read' them, it stands that while the fundamentals of hieroglyphs are understood today for the most part, their subtleties of meaning may not be fully realized. What is ultimately and especially important is the ability to link different hieroglyphs to fully understand what is being said. More over, Ancient Egyptian Architecture was an extension of this visual language.
I have found this process and exploration to be totally fascinating. I feel like I am watching the tumblers of a locking mechanism fall into place and that I am on the verge of opening a wonderful door to truth and understanding of an important aspect of Ancient Egyptian life, that is why the Pyramids were created. After all, isn't that the most important question to answer about Ancient Egypt?
I have no doubt that pyramids would of been built without Imhotep, and why not, they were built in one form or another elsewhere around the world. But why did Egypt make them so smooth and unemblished? Why did they make them so large? Why was their form so perfect and rigid? Why did even tiny Pyramids keep this precision of form and detail?
And, I can even answer how the Pyramids were built... a question that seems to captivate the entire world. Here's the answer... ready??? : they stacked stones up one on top of the other.
hello? this is Lawrence calling.... anyone? anyone at all...
What will be my greatest disappointment? This entry alludes to it quite clearly. I know I can be impatient but I don't think I'll live forever, and considering one response to this revelation, which was in the form of writing lessons, all I can say is sorry but I communicate visually. That is my language.
4 comments:
"It's challenge"
Not per se Egypt related, but from my background in teaching I would have to say I agree with your point that using visual means to explain concepts is very powerful. This is idea is used heavily in the geametry course I developed for our university. Math and Art is quite popular and using visuals to communicate concepts can be a powerful tool.
On the other hand using visual interpretations to create entire theories is tricky. One (bad) example is a poster on Egyptian Dreams who has come to the conclusion that all hieroglyphs need to be interpreted as being visual concepts. To show how wrong this can go: he concludes that the entire interpretation of hieroglyphs is wrong and that the meaning assigned by Egyptologists is arbitrary and misses the point. He claims that when you look at the texts the right way and "understand" that the disks refer to actual disks, I.e CD and DVD disks, then it becomes clear that there is a record being presented of time travelers presenting the ancients with their knowledge.
I am NOT suggesting that this is what you're doing, but I'm always weary of people taking glyphs and putting their own interpretations on them.
Your point of view that we should try to understand the original meaning of the glyphs is a valid one I think, but I'm not sure that free association of what these glyphs look like is the way to go.
I do like your work on relating the glyphs with the context in which they appear.
I think that from a linguistic point of view one would have to maybe do a combination of analyzing the origins of the written language and then a thorough analysis of the use of the terms in Ancient Egyptian texts. The origins may be found in the ivory labels found in the pre-dynastic tomb of a king thought to be named king Scorpion. It appears that the very first hieroglyphs appeared on labels. These ivory labels must have been attached to the items they represented, but from what I have read the items had become detached from the labels.
Quote: " And, I can even answer how the Pyramids were built... a question that seems to captivate the entire world. Here's the answer... ready??? : they stacked stones up one on top of the other."
LOL Brilliant ....
Thanks Anneke for your comments, they're very informative.
Yeah, that's the problem of a blog, can't reverse the order. Your comments seem right on considering you are starting at the top which are areas that I am least familiar with. I'm trying to understand additional connections to my primary concept.
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"the disks refer to actual disks, I.e CD and DVD disks"
LOL. conspiracy theories abound.
I don't plan on being in the realm of CD's or aliens... I think my 'stacked stones' pretty much implies I'm a practical person that's 'grounded'. What I hope to do is understand current interpretations of other 'clues' like Hieroglyphs, boats, bridges, symbols, etc. that have already been interpreted by scholars, and 1) create links that support my hypothesis and 2) make sure that the hieroglyphs and other interpretations are correct (sorry, but to find truth you have to questions everything). I hope I am in a position which I can rely on current wisdom as this will only make my case stronger... ultimately this is why I want to enlist the help of experts. I may have to 'tweak' interpretations but only if it makes sense and is consistent with finding the truth (I know, the person who thought the disc's were CD's thought he found the truth).
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I'll free associate up to a point, that is look at things with fresh eyes. Then I look for what the scholars say and will obviously understand what they say as being fact or close to it. You'll probably notice as you read on that I will post several interpretations of things, which implies I do not have enough information to draw a conclusion for myself.
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This new hieroglyph that I'm looking at in the last blog post (akhet) is a challenge to understand as I've seen so many examples and interpretations. I'm hoping to find the earliest examples of all things as I think these will be drawn in the most simplistic terms and I'm hoping, in the most representative fashion. That should help in the interpretation of them. I am also hoping to create several time lines to better understand the development of things.
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" a linguistic point of view one would have to maybe do a combination of analyzing the origins of the written language and then a thorough analysis of the use of the terms in Ancient Egyptian texts"
Exactly... "do a combination of analyzing the origins of the written language...." as you pointed out that is the smartest way to go. The 'Ivory Labels' sounds very interesting and I'll have to find where I can see them. Thanks for the reference... and the origins of the pyramid (including mastaba development, obelisks, etc.).
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"LOL Brilliant ...."
LOL, I'm just taken aback on how much time is devoted to this subject and how the media always is willing to show it. And this new French Architect with his theory that they were built from the inside out, with tunnels.... whatever... that's unfortunately the context in which I'll have to swim through in order to get a grant, publisher or anyone interested in my hypothesis. Of course if I'm wrong, then no harm done if I am unable to proceed.
thanks again for your insight...
Would you mind if I say just a few words?
First of all, your idea of the visual language are in accord with mine. I think the same way.
However, I`m confident that hieroglyphs were not playing a major role in ancient life, most likely - the shapes. It`s intended to be read as hieroglyphs were a minor conductor between visual world (real) and the other side.
By the way, I heard a funny theory that pyramids were relocated bodily from somewhere into the current place..
Thanks Serge for your comments. Yes there are lots of theories out there and the 'movement of Pyramids' etc. are but some of the more outlandish examples of them. regards, Nick.
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