Posted on 05/19/2016 8:32:23 AM PDT by BenLurkin
American and Egyptian archaeologists have discovered a rare structure called a nilometer in the ruins of the ancient city of Thmuis in Egypt’s Delta region. Likely constructed during the third century B.C., the nilometer was used for roughly a thousand years to calculate the water level of the river during the annual flooding of the Nile. Fewer than two dozen of the devices are known to exist.
Before the completion of the Aswan High Dam in 1970, the Nile flooded the surrounding plains each year in late July or August. As the waters receded in September and October, they left behind a blanket of fertile silt that was essential for growing crops such as barley and wheat.
But the volume of the yearly flood varied widely. If the inundation was inadequate, only a small area of cropland would be covered with the life-giving silt, often resulting in famine. If the water level was too high, it would sweep away houses and structures built on the plain and ruin the crops. It’s estimated that the flooding was either inadequate or excessive roughly once every five years during the pharaonic period.
Made from large limestone blocks, the nilometer was a circular well roughly eight feet (2.4 meters) in diameter with a staircase leading down into its interior. Either a channel would have connected the well to the river, or it would have simply measured the water table as a proxy for the strength of the river. Seven cubits—roughly 10 feet (3.04 meters)—was the optimum height for prosperity.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.nationalgeographic.com ...
ping
Popularly known as the “Obama hole” to ancient Egyptians.
How do they know it was for taxes?
I’ll bet it was a tip calculator.
lol
Heck, the IRS has a better method going today.
If you breathe AND earn money, you owe more taxes to the democrats.
If you breathe and vote democrat, you don’t owe taxes. And then you get a refund, and EIT credit, AND welfare!
AND 6 voter registration cards.
The ancient technique is the same as the modern technique.
To wit:
1) How much did you make?
2) Send it in.
Thanks BenLurkin and Robert A. Cook, PE.
Another interesting find. Thanks, SC! :o]
“In other news, Chief Tax Collector Imhotep announced that the new Nilometer temple sites will be located 10 rods beneath the surface of the ground to protect them from sandstorms. When asked if that would have the unintentional effect of enhancing revenue during the flooding season Chief Tax Collector Imhotep ordered 40 lashes for the reporter.”
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