The Giza plateau is one of the most enduring prehistoric monuments in the world. It is home to the three great pyramids (Those of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure), and at least six others as well as several other prominent structures including the great Sphinx and the Valley temple.
Recent Carbon-14 dating results indicate a period of construction from between 3,800 and 2,800 BC (2), a time-frame which is considerably earlier than is currently claimed by Egyptologists (Official estimates still vary from year to year around the region of 2,650 to 2,450 BC). If these dates are confirmed in future sample-testing, Egyptologists will be forced to consider the re-appraisal for the dates ascribed to 'Proto-dynastic', 'Pre-dynastic' and Early Dynasty cultures (As suggested by Manetho, Petrie, Lockyer and others).
The 1984 "David H. Koch Pyramids Radiocarbon Project" took organic material from several places in the core of the Great Pyramid as well as other 4th Dynasty pyramids and locations so as to try and date their radiocarbon. This yielded results averaging 374 years earlier than the date accepted by egyptologists but much more recent than 10,000 years ago. A second dating in 1995 with new but similar material obtained dates ranging between 100-400 years earlier than those indicated by the historic record. This raised interesting questions concerning the origin and date of the wood. Massive quantities of wood were used and burned, so to reconcile the earlier dates the authors of the study theorize that possibly "old wood" was used, assuming that wood was harvested from any source available, including old construction material from all over Egypt. It is also known that King Sneferu imported wood from Lebanon. Project scientists based their conclusions on the evidence that some of the material in the 3rd Dynasty pyramid of Pharaoh Djoser and other monuments had been recycled, concluding that the construction of the pyramids marked a a major depletion of Egypt's exploitable wood. Dating of more short-lived material around the pyramid (cloth, small fires, etc) yielded dates nearer to those indicated by historical records. The authors insist more evidence is need to settle this issue.
(Archaeology " Dating the Pyramids " Volume 52 Number 5, September/October 1999)
This study does not sufficiently address key anomalies in its findings, however - mainly how and where the Egyptians were able to obtain literally tons of 100-400 year old dead wood. Even preserved in a desert climate, finding forests of such magnitude comprised of ancient dead wood would be a phenomenon in and of itself. It is believed Egypt's climate would have only been able to support such a forest (though there is no evidence of one having existed at the time being largely grasslands) at the latest only prior to 4,000-6,000 BC. For this to be true an entire revision of Egypt's climatic history would be required. When considering the data, what is shown is the radio carbon of the pyramids yielded dates ranging from 100-400 years earlier than the "historical record", yet the signs of last casual occupation, ie. cloth, small fires, etc, have given dates much closer to what is expected from egyptologists. Instead of requiring a revision of Egypt's climatic history based solely on the fact these dates do not support accepted theory despite supporting climatology data to the contrary, it is equally possible that what the study suggests is true--that the pyramids are indeed older (if only by 100-400 years) than what is currently believed.
 |
| Google Map of Pyramids of Giza and Giza Plateau |
Courtesy: ancient-wisdom.co.uk
No comments:
Post a Comment