Archaeologists have discovered 17 new pyramids in Egypt without picking up a shovel. They did it using infrared photographs taken from satellites. (That annoying Egyptologist on the History Channel hardest hit!)
Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have located seventeen lost pyramids, 1,000 tombs and more than 3,000 ancient settlements in Egypt after studying images produced by a state-of-the-art infrared technique that allowed them to clearly see the ruins underground.With two pyramids already confirmed by scientists, they believe there are thousands more unknown sites in the region.
“I could see the data as it was emerging, but for me the ‘a-ha’ moment was when I could step back and look at everything that we’d found,” Dr. Sarah Parcack, who led the survey, told the BBC. “I couldn’t believe we could locate so many sites all over Egypt.”
Because infrared imaging is able to distinguish different materials beneath the surface, the team was able to analyze images from satellites orbiting 400 miles above the earth, equipped with cameras so powerful they can pinpoint objects less than 3 feet wide.
Buildings in ancient Egypt were constructed out of mud brick — a dense material easily discernible from surrounding soil, leaving fingerprints that researchers could identify as pyramids, tombs, or homes.
The breakthrough find is a huge coup for the burgeoning science of space archaeology, but Parcack believes this is only the beginning, even hinting further finds could be buried deep below the Nile River.
“These are just the sites close to the surface,” she told the BBC. “There are many thousands of additional sites that the Nile has covered with silt.”
It will be interesting to see in the future whether this technique can be used to validate the Bible in any way. Either way, very interesting.
May 26, 2011 at 3:53 pm
*laughs* Why am I not surprised to see this coming out of Alabama?
One of the "games" my parents taught us was seeing what isn't there– if you find a lilac bush up in the middle of nowhere, ten or fifteen minutes of looking will generally let you know where the house use to be.
(In Cali and Oregon, there were usually Harison's roses near the lilac; in Washington, there's usually apple trees, sometimes a rose.)
I'm interested to know what it shows of Israel! (historic, not current, to save them from political worries)
May 26, 2011 at 6:08 pm
Impressive
May 27, 2011 at 1:15 am
Muslim Brotherhood: Let the looting begin!
May 27, 2011 at 4:59 am
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God! Remember, pride was the first sin of the human race. This is why I'm against the use of satellites. As we discover our God, the need for discovering pyramids and other historical artifacts diminishes. Too many people have died and still too many people are dying. St Jude, pray for us! Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us! Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us!