"Things You Wouldn't Know If We Didn't Blog Intermittently."
18 May 2020
The tomb of Ramesses VI
Via. Better yet, here a link to a high definition walk-through of the tomb. Use your mouse to turn left and right - and remember to look up at the ceiling. Awesome.
While the Egyptians no doubt had templates for many of the figures, it still boggles the mind that this much detail and effort went to, in a sense, just writing on the walls. Of course, when you consider that the pyramid itself was quite a feat, maybe it makes complete sense.
Another aspect commented on at the via is the absence of soot on the walls and ceiling - quite remarkable if torches were used for light. One wonders if the walls and ceiling were manually cleaned in ancient or modern times without removing the painted colors, or whether they were able to light the area by noncombustion means (mirrors, candles with trimmed wicks).
Not contradicting you on the skills of the ancient Egyptians, but no pyramid was involved here: this is an underground grave in the Valley of Kings, near Luxor. In Ramesses VI's time, the great pyramids at Gizeh had already been standing for about a millennium.
Nice way to break in my new HD monitor. Thanks for all your wonderful posts, Stan.
ReplyDeleteWhile the Egyptians no doubt had templates for many of the figures, it still boggles the mind that this much detail and effort went to, in a sense, just writing on the walls. Of course, when you consider that the pyramid itself was quite a feat, maybe it makes complete sense.
ReplyDeleteAnother aspect commented on at the via is the absence of soot on the walls and ceiling - quite remarkable if torches were used for light. One wonders if the walls and ceiling were manually cleaned in ancient or modern times without removing the painted colors, or whether they were able to light the area by noncombustion means (mirrors, candles with trimmed wicks).
Deletecandles are combustible, I meant non-torch lighting.
DeleteNot contradicting you on the skills of the ancient Egyptians, but no pyramid was involved here: this is an underground grave in the Valley of Kings, near Luxor. In Ramesses VI's time, the great pyramids at Gizeh had already been standing for about a millennium.
DeleteWow. That virtual walkthrough is amazing.
ReplyDeleteI agree, cool walkthrough. I hope they don't mind, at the end I jumped the railing to get an even closer look. :-)
ReplyDelete