|
|
|||
Soaring Stones by Maureen Clemmons & Dan Cray
How a Backyard Scientist and Her Kite-powered Pyramid Theory Took on the World of Egyptology
"Soaring Stones" tells the story of a backyard scientist's incredible Egyptian pyramid construction theory and her struggle to be heard in the close-minded world of Egyptology. of illustrations.Dr. Maureen Clemmons' theory is that Egyptians built the pyramids using kite power instead of brute strength, as is commonly accepted. Dan Cray, science writer for Time magazine, initially thinks she is a crazy, but agrees to listen to her ideas. After all, this is a woman with no scientific credentials whatsoever, claiming she has solved the mystery of how the pyramids were constructed - with kites, no less. As part of her research, Clemmons discovers a wing pattern, resembling no living bird, in bas-relief on a frieze, with several men below holding what look like ropes. Many of the birds are holding an ankh, the Egyptian hieroglyph generally thought to symbolize life. Clemmons discovers after purchasing a large ankh, that it is the perfect tool for controlling rope, the ancient equivalent of a rock-climber's safety carabiner. Upon consultation with construction experts, Clemmons discovers that the scepters depicted in Egyptian art can also double as levers for lifting stones. But this is all circumstantial evidence. The real test is to try it out in the field. On December 10, 2000, Clemmons successfully moves a 400-pound obelisk in front of Fox cameras. Cray begins his investigation of the merits of her theories and discovers historians, Egyptologists, and aeronautics engineers not only think Clemmons' concept is preposterous, they don't even want to be quoted talking about it for fear their peers and research sponsors will associate them with the theory (thus threatening research grants). It's the hint of back-door politics and procedures within scientific circles that keeps Cray interested. They seem unable to articulate exactly why the kite theory is incorrect, other than to say that kites have never been found at Egyptian archeological sites - a dubious argument since the linen and other lightweight materials are unlikely to have survived 5,000 years. The last chapter will cover the ultimate field test, summer 2002 in Egypt, to move a 40-ton obelisk using materials the ancient Egyptians had access to such as papyrus, hemp, and linen. The success of this test will prove that the Egyptians could have used the wind instead of brute strength to build the pyramids, and that you don't need a degree in science to be a damn good scientist. |
|
| Author(s) : | Format : Hardback Book |
| ISBN-10 : 0792269179 | ISBN-13 : 9780792269175 |
| RRP : £18.99 | Best available price : £ / $ |
| Prices as of : BST check live prices | |
Product Details:
Series Title : National Geographic
Country Publication : United States
Publication Date : 28/11/2003
Publisher : National Geographic Books
Page Length : 320mm
Page Size : 152mm