Did anyone else catch this on the History Channel last night? I turned it on at the end so I had to catch it the second time around at 3AM! I actually enjoyed this program. If I had not been so tired when watching I probably would have remembered more about it. It discussed the theories of Robert Bauval about how all of Egypt (not just the pyramids) was built to mirror the sun and the star constellations in the sky. It also went into depth about how everything followed a cyclic order that would keep repeating itself. I wish I remembered this more clearly. I do not think they are going to be showing it again any time soon. I am going to find more information about it on the web. If I find anything about it I will be back to edit my post!

EDIT: Here is a link with information regarding a conference given by Robert Bauval back in 2002. The information is practically the same as that discussed in the program. http://www.andrewcollins.com/page/conference/speakers/RB.htm

   

I don't know if I've ever seen that particular one, but I do recall watching something similar quite a while back. I was reading about the connection of the pyramids being based on the skies recently. What I read, mentioned how the ancient Egyptian names of certain pyramids are stellar-themed, such as Djoser's Step Pyramid at Saqqara being named "Horus is the Star at the Head of the Sky," and Djedefra's Pyramid at Abu Roash being called "Starry Sky of Djedefra." The pyramids dating from the 3rd to the 6th dynasty don't have any specific mention of the sun, though, which has led some to speculate about whether the ancient Egyptian's religion began by being based on the stars and constellations and such, rather than the sun. It's a very interesting concept, however, this is only really in reference to the pyramids, and not so much the other monuments, so it would be interesting to see how Robert Bauval incorporates the rest of Egypt's landmarks into his theory. I'll have to keep a look out on the History Channel to see if the show has been aired in the UK yet.
_________________

   

Yes, do keep a look out to see if it will be played in your region. Do you remember what it was you were reading about the pyramid-sky connection? I would like to read up more on this subject.

   

Quote (ImageOfAten)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Do you remember what it was you were reading about the pyramid-sky connection? I would like to read up more on this subject.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yeah, it was in Stephen Quirke's The Cult of Ra: Sun-Worship in Ancient Egypt but I think I remember you saying at ED that you've read it before. ;)
_________________

   

As an astronomy student I really like the idea that the Egyptian religion/mythology is heavily inspired by the stars, and of possible alignments with certain important stars (Orion, Sirius, the circumpolars) and ancient temples. I also remember reading that some temples have solar alignments to solstices or equinoxes too (other than Abu Simbel)? I have even heard that some temples were aligned with Sirius, and were actually rebuilt (or at least, the part aligning with Sirius was) to make up for precession (the 26000 year wobble of the earth's axis), which is a very interesting idea which shows that maybe the Egyptians knew of precession. I was told this by a friend but haven't seen it elsewhere though so I can't say whether it is true or not...but with a starry sky like that, I'm sure the Egyptians were more fascinated with what was above than we realise!

I haven't seen this doc, but I'd love to. I remember watching a documentary with Bauval about the Pyramids and their connections to the stars. I'm not sure if the three pyramids do represent Orion's belt though it's a very intriguing theory...but far more likely is the shafts in the King's Chamber being aligned with Orion. Maybe Sirius too. I know Bauval's theories are sometimes seen as a little fringey by some academics but I think that's only when his research is used to support some of the whackier ideas of other researchers (like Atlantis and outer space theories!) but by themselves, his theories seem really interesting.
_________________
Av from: http://illustmaker.abi-station.com/index_en.shtml

   

Yes, I did read The Cult of Ra: Sun-Worship in Ancient Egypt . Strangely enough I do not remember it discussing this certain aspect.

I was not aware that Bauval was noted for Atlantis theories and such. As a matter of fact, I never before heard of him until this documentary. During this show he discussed theories that the Egyptians did know of precession. I really wished I taped this, but my outdated VCR has been eating tapes like crazy and I do not have Tivo or any of those modern things. I wonder if this program is available for purchase at the History Channel store. I will have to check.

   

Bauval is really famous for his book, the Orion Mystery, which is the book which first came up with the idea that the pyramids may be an earthly representation of that constellation. In fact, it seems that watching docu's on that subject was one of the things that got me into both Egypt and astronomy!

Bauval himself, it seems, doesn't do Atlantis/Stargate-ish theories himself, though some of his co-authors might have...he concentrates on the Egyptian astronomy side of things and doesn't delve too deeply into pyramidiocy, his theories may be alternative but seem a lot more down to earth than some I've heard of. However I know a lot of kooks who use star-alignment theories like his and others to prove that 'because the pyramids aligned with those stars, that's where the aliens came from'

I think it's a shame really that those pyramidiots with their talk of aliens and hi-tech civilisations seem to have made some academics frown upon or become sceptical of the further study of some aspects of Egyptian astronomical knowledge (though not all-a lot of it is well accepted by academia but it's a fascinating field that shouldn't be reluctantly researched because of a few crazy ideas.)
_________________
Av from: http://illustmaker.abi-station.com/index_en.shtml

   

Good Day,

I read your comments on "Egypt Decoded" and your comments were EXACTLY what I would have written. Thank you!

I'm hugely frustrated by the fact that I can't find a DVD on the History Channel's Website entitled "Egypt Decoded" that I can purchase.

I, myself, watched the show 4 times. I simply couldn't absorb everything I wanted to and would really like to purchse the DVD. But they don't list a DVD with that title.

Do you have any suggestions that could help me find that DVD? Maybe an alternate name?

Thank you, in advance.

Paul O. Martin
Atlanta:?: