Egypt
It's Egypt week on Discovery Channel.
An intriguing mystery of history. . . . who is the Great Sphinx attributed to? Djedefre? or someone else? Who does it represent? Khafre? Khufu?
I think a much greater question (and possibly more significant), is when was the Sphinx built?
John Anthony West first noticed weathering patterns on the Sphinx that were consistent with water erosion rather than erosion produced by wind and sand. These patterns were not found on other structures on the plateau. Geologist Robert Schock agreed that water erosion was in evidence. West and Schock conclude the Sphinx must be on the order of 7,000 to 10,000 years old in order to have the marks of water erosion they found. The Discovery program failed to explain this anomaly for my satisfaction. They claimed it could all be attributed to chemicals in the weather. I guess they meant acid rain...? Is it possible? Maybe. Probable? I don't think so.
Another theory is that the Sphinx, when considered with the neighboring pyramids and ancient writings, is part of, and possibly the first element of, a kind of astronomical map related to the constellation Orion. They have concluded that the "best fit" for this map is found for the position of the stars as they were in 10,500 B.C.E.
And there is more mysteriousness surrounding this enigmatic statue - - -
Workers restoring the Sphinx located a doorway in its side. Old photographs show that this door was at least partially open at one time. The full extent of this opening have not been explored.
In 1995 workers renovating a parking lot near the Sphinx uncovered a series of tunnels and pathways, two of which dip further underground near the Sphinx. Bauval believes these are ancient and probably contemporaneous with the Sphinx itself.
While examining evidence of erosion, West's team used a seismograph around the Sphinx. They found evidence of hollow, regularly shaped spaces or chambers a few meters below ground between the paws and to either side of the Sphinx. To date, no further examination has been allowed.
Certainly the fantastic discoveries have not come to an end regarding the Sphinx.
Tonight, I watched the Return of the King. Research proved a mummy, residing for 140 years in a museum in Niagara Falls, was more than just part of a royal family, but an actual Pharaoh. That mummy was Rameses I; the founder of a entire dynasty. Just incredible to see the transportation and ceremony of the return of this important treasure.
I watched other incredible treasures of Egypt spread throughout the world's museums. And a raging debate on whether or not these important artifacts should be returned to their proper home. The Rosetta stone (London), the bust of Nefertiti (Berlin), The Obelisk - one of two matching towers originally located in front of the Luxor Temple. One remains in place, the other resides in France. A very hard thing to determine if these items belong in Egypt. OR are they better served in museums around the world, where people can go and see these wonderful archeological finds...and maybe encourage travelers to actually make a trip to Egypt.
I know I want to go; I need to go! . . . The plateau at Giza, The Luxor Temple, The Valley of the Kings, oh so much to see and learn!
I watched two other shows that I'd like to comment on, (The history of NASA & great generals...specifically Hannibal and Ghengis Khan) but alas, it's getting rather late......