Posted on 09/04/2014 12:56:44 PM PDT by Red Badger
A 3,500-year-old inscription on a stone block found in Egypt is what archaeologists say the oldest weather report of the world.
The inscription on a six-foot-tall calcite stone, called the Tempest Stela, describes rain, darkness and "the sky being in storm without cessation, louder than the cries of the masses," according to Nadine Moeller and Robert Ritner at the University of Chicago's Oriental Institute who have translated the 40-line inscription.
The stela's text also describes bodies floating down the Nile like "skiffs of papyrus."
"This was clearly a major storm, and different from the kinds of heavy rains that Egypt periodically receives," Ritner said in a statement.
The researchers believe the unusual weather patterns described on the slab were the result of a massive volcano explosion at Thera, the present day island of Santorini in the Mediterranean Sea.
The Thera eruption is estimated to have occurred between 1621 and 1605 BC and would likely have caused destruction in Egypt.
However, there are no concrete ancient records of the catastrophe.
If the stone's inscription truly indicates the aftermath of eruption, it would help researchers understand the impact of natural disasters on ancient civilisations.
"This new information would provide a better understanding of the role of the environment in the development and destruction of empires in the ancient Middle East," David Schloen, assistant professor of ancient cultures at the institute said.
According to researchers, the inscription could further change the chronology of events in ancient Middle East.
The stone block, found in pieces in Thebes, modern Luxor, dates back to the era of Ahmose, the first pharaoh of the 18th Dynasty whose reign marked the beginning of the New Kingdom, when Egypt's power was at its highest.
The translation of the stone's inscription suggests Ahmose ruled at a time closer to the Thera eruption.
"If the stela does describe the aftermath of the Thera catastrophe, the correct dating of the stela itself and Ahmose's reign, currently thought to be about 1550 BC, could actually be 30 to 50 years earlier," said the researchers.
"This is important to scholars of the ancient Near East and eastern Mediterranean, generally because the chronology that archaeologists use is based on the lists of Egyptian pharaohs, and this new information could adjust those dates," Moeller added.
22 And the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch forth thine hand toward heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, upon man, and upon beast, and upon every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt.
23 And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven: and the Lord sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon the ground; and the Lord rained hail upon the land of Egypt.
24 So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, very grievous, such as there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation.
25 And the hail smote throughout all the land of Egypt all that was in the field, both man and beast; and the hail smote every herb of the field, and brake every tree of the field.
26 Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, was there no hail.
27 And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the Lord is righteous, and I and my people are wicked.
28 Intreat the Lord (for it is enough) that there be no more mighty thunderings and hail; and I will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer.
29 And Moses said unto him, As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands unto the Lord; and the thunder shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that thou mayest know how that the earth is the Lord's.
30 But as for thee and thy servants, I know that ye will not yet fear the Lord God.
31 And the flax and the barley was smitten: for the barley was in the ear, and the flax was bolled.
32 But the wheat and the rie were not smitten: for they were not grown up.
33 And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread abroad his hands unto the Lord: and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the earth.
34 And when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders were ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants.
35 And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, neither would he let the children of Israel go; as the Lord had spoken by Moses.
PinGGG!...................
Likely as accurate then as they are now...
If stone is wet. it is raining
If stone is white. it is snowing.
If stone moves, it is windy.
If stone casts a shadow, it is sunny
If stone is cold, it is cold out
If stone is warm, it is warm out.
If stone is hard to see, it’s foggy.
Egyptian Weather Stone Never Wrong
Hot today, chili tamale.
Global warming?
Hmmmm- let me guess: hot and dry.
Well, guess they didn’t see globull warming coming...
I hate chilly tamales. They are greasy..................
In this case it would be accurate. Desert conditions, drought, famine and pestilence.
Probably says “Dry”.
My first thought.
bodies floating down the river in a primitive land is nothing out of the ordinary.... see: Ganges River
Exactly.
So much of the Torah has been historically proved.
Yes, but in India they put the bodies in the River Ganges on purpose....................
Being a weatherman in ancient Egypt was extremely frustrating. It took 8 days to carve the 5 day forecast.
lol. true
I imagine ‘Film at eleven’ was dang near impossible...................
-PJ
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.