How do you lose a pyramid?
Image via WikipediaSeventeen lost pyramids are among the buildings identified in a new satellite survey of Egypt.There is more.
More than 1,000 tombs and 3,000 ancient settlements were also revealed by looking at infra-red images which show up underground buildings.
Initial excavations have already confirmed some of the findings including of two suspected pyramids.
"To excavate a pyramid is the dream of every archaeologist," says Dr Sarah Parcak.
She has pioneered the work in space archaeology from a Nasa-sponsored laboratory in Birmingham, Alabama and says she was amazed at how much she and her team have found.
...
The team analysed images from satellites orbiting 700km above the earth, equipped with cameras so powerful they can pin-point objects less than 1m in diameter on the earth's surface.
Infra-red imaging was used to highlight different materials under the surface.
Ancient Egyptians built their houses and structures out of mud brick, which is much denser than the soil that surrounds it, so the shapes of houses, temples and tombs can be seen.
"It just shows us how easy it is to underestimate both the size and scale of past human settlements," says Dr Parcak.
...
I think this technology can probably find a few pyramids in Central America too. While the Egyptians used pyramids for toms, Central American Indians used them as alters for human sacrifice. The Phoneticians were also big on human sacrifice of first born sons. They carried this practice with them to Carthage in modern day Libya. Some of the ruins have found thousands of urns filled with the bones of young boys.
Comments
Post a Comment