tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4912713243046142041.post8497690625228361621..comments2024-03-27T18:20:38.176-05:00Comments on TYWKIWDBI ("Tai-Wiki-Widbee"): The Nimrud lensMinnesotastanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01382888179579245181noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4912713243046142041.post-65558879354750651542014-07-08T21:05:19.296-05:002014-07-08T21:05:19.296-05:00A wonderful artifact, but this is only the tip of ...A wonderful artifact, but this is only the tip of the iceberg concerning ancient optics and lenses. I heartily recommend scholar Robert Temple's book, “The Crystal Sun” (2000, Century, London). Quoting a bit of the sleeve notes:<br />“Based on 33 years of research all over the world, . . . Robert Temple has reconstructed a wholly forgotten story: the story of light technology in ancient civilisation. It goes back at least to 2600 BC in Old Kingdom Egypt. . . . (and how the Egyptians) surveyed their pyramids and other structures with such uncanny precision; they used the equivalents of theodolites with lenses and . . . produce miniature carvings on gems, including some so small they are invisible to the naked eye altogether.”<br /><br />The book has photos and reports of many such lenses in scattered museums, many of which are mis-identified. It's a big book with lots of details. Well worth it if you like things that change our view of ancient human civilization.David Crewshttp://davidcrews.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.com