Ran across this news article (thanks Facebook Friend & 2nd Cousin Austen for posting the article from Yahoo! News) that caught my eye since we were visiting the Pyramids of Giza just last November.
Currently at this site there are 3 full size pyramids and 3 smaller ones. I'm sorry to say that as I sit here now I can't remember the stories behind the smaller ones. I want to say they are for the children of one of the Pharaohs, but I can't recall.
What an interesting use of remote sensing technology. Using what we know about the way the pyramids and tombs were built, they were able to classify the infrared imagery to look for density changes. These structures were built with mud bricks which are much more dense than the soil around them.
Amazing - 17 pyramids, 1,000 tombs and 3,000 ancient settlements.
There will be a documentary on the BBC which follows Egyptologist Dr. Sarah Parcak as she begins to unearth this new find. Keep an eye out for "Egypt's Lost Cities" if you find this topic interesting. I love the title they give the Dr - "Satellite Archaeologist". Cool.
Weird six degrees of separation moment? Dr Parcak was born in Bangor, Maine, as was my mom.
Here's the link to the full article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/digitaltrends/20110525/tc_digitaltrends/infraredsatelliteimagryunveils17lostegyptianpyramids
Here's a BBC article that goes into more detail about the work leading up to the find: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-13522957
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Baha'i Gardens Haifa (mobile)
Wow these terraced gardens were something to see! They weren't open to walk down the day we were there, but they are still very impressive.
Worth a visit if you are in Haifa for sure.
The Wailing Wall (mobile)
Rod has been wanting to come to the Wailing Wall for many, many years. It was great to see him be able to place his prayers in the wall and say a short prayer.
Interesting to see the men's and women's sections. And the size differences.
Pyramids of Giza (mobile)
I would rather of had more time at the pyramids and less at the sphinx. Oh well. One of the downsides of being on a group excursion - have to follow their time line. But lots of benefits too!
A must see if you get to Egypt.
Temple of Luxor (mobile)
What a fantastic structure. Amazing to wander around marveling at the scale of the pieces. How did they build all this?
Has held up amazingly well considering the age and flooding and everything else it has been through.
Italian Pizza in Sorrento (mobile)
Pizza & beer in Sorrento with Jen & dad. This was actually the best pizza we had in Italy. A little neighborhood restaurant with all outdoor seating.
Jen loved the fresh squeezed OJ!
When in Rome... (mobile post)
Took this photo from the taxi heading to our hotel the day we arrived in Rome. Fantastic to just be driving around and see sights like this. Things from your elementary school history books. Things I figured I wouldn't ever see in person.
So much history out there to see and learn about!
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