Posted on 09/22/2007 8:14:49 AM PDT by blam
Edited on 10/15/2007 2:21:01 AM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]
During its last campaign, the Latvian Scientific Mission, which has already worked more than two years in the Step Pyramid of Saqqara (Egypt) in the framework of its joint-venture with the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities and direct supervision from Dr. Zahi Hawass, has successfully carried out some additional documentation works, very important for the safeguarding and restoration of the oldest stone monument in the world. Resources allocated to this program (15 scientists) represent the largest scientific team never mobilized abroad in the History of this small but scientifically highly advanced Baltic country...
Riga (Latvia) September 17, 2007
Dr.arch. Bruno Deslandes Head of the Latvian Scientific Mission in Egypt Architect, UNESCO-UNDP expert for tangible heritage documentation Architect-advisor to the French M.F.A. "Baltais Vejs" offices complex; K. Ulmana gatve 119; Marupes pagasts LV-2167; Latvia Mob.: (+371) 28.343090 E-mail: brd@mailbox.riga.lv
[Excerpted upon request of author]
Continues Archaeogate
I spend several hours a day using sophisticsted GIS and 3-D technical graphics and spatial analysis software (some of which I wrote myself) on archaeological and cartographic data, and, for some reason, I find these Latvian graphic representations to be vaguely dissatisfying.
Boy, would I love to have the opportunity to work with these folks' raw data -- to see what computer-aided visualizations I could come up with! I can already visualize this site in 3-D animation; what a CG movie it would make!
Having said all that, I must admit that those early Egyptians were some very clever, imaginative -- and devious -- folk!! Assuming that the Latvians' analyses are accurate, that site is loaded with amazingly innovative design elements!
To put those Egyptians' sophistication in perspective, at the time they were building this complex masterpiece, folks on this continent were still using large stone dart points and atlatls and chasing after big game critters...
Good find! Thanks for posting it!
Yes, they seem quite primative, but perhaps they're just not show-offs. We're used to everything being glitzed up for marketing.
Mebbeso -- but "glitz" is no replacement for accuracy and clarity...
IMO, they would benefit greatly from reading and applying principles from Edward R. Tufte's excellent little book, The Visual Display of Quantitative Information.
For example, they color-coded a feature labeled, "Bluish green tiled rooms" in magenta...why not use bluish green?
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Thanks Blam and TXnMA. Finding this "new" (nearly 5000 year old) descending corridor is a major discovery. Now these Latvians need to be put to work on the Giza plateau. ;') |
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http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/dsteppyramid1.htm
http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/dsteppyramid4.jpg
drop them a note an ask them for a copy of the raw data.
lots of times folks are amazed that someone out there is reading their stuff and
they take it as a compliment!
VERY IMPORTANT !!! VERY IMPORTANT !!!VERY IMPORTANT !!!
Please be kindly informed about the fact that all these pictures have copyright and are protected !!!
concerning these so interesting GPR investigation results you have to know that:
Geophysical survey and data interpretation have been implemented by :
G. Sichoff, SIA GIC geophysicist
V. Seglins, University of Latvia, professor, Dr. geol.
Model applied: GPR Zond 12C with 150-75-38 MHz antenna system
Thank you in advance for resting this,
best regards !
Dr.arch. Bruno Deslandes
head of the Latvian Scientific Mission in Egypt
Architect, UNESCO-UNDP expert for tangible heritage documentation
Architect-advisor to the French M.F.A.
“Baltais Vejs” offices complex; K. Ulmana gatve 119; Marupes pagasts LV-2167; Latvia
Mob.: (+371) 28.343090
E-mail: brd@mailbox.riga.lv
Zahi Hawass mentioned in the first sentence! Apparently no one gets access to Egyptian antiquities without agreeing to mention his name in every article.
the 7km long underground galleries system.
Wow.
Thank you for letting us know. I have removed your pictures and excerpted your article.
Congratulations on your excellent research and welcome to Free Republic.
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