Dendera Lightbulb: Difference between revisions
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==The Dendera Lightbulb== | ==The Dendera Lightbulb== | ||
The concept of the Dendera Lightbulb comes from a set of inscriptions located on a chamber wall in the Temple of Hathor in Egypt. The depictions shows what is theorized to be an version of a lightbulb known as a "crookes tube". <ref name="acorn">https://ancientegyptonline.co.uk/denderahlightbulb/</ref> | The concept of the Dendera Lightbulb comes from a set of inscriptions located on a chamber wall in the Temple of Hathor in Egypt. The depictions shows what is theorized to be an version of a lightbulb known as a "crookes tube". <ref name="acorn">https://ancientegyptonline.co.uk/denderahlightbulb/</ref> The pseudoarcheaological interpretation of the artifact is that of an ancient lightbulb, which is seen as proof of ancient civilizations having access to advanced technologies. The depictions are seen as representing a bulb with a filament winding through the middle, with a socket that connects a cord to box underneath the bulb which is being held up by a two armed pillar.<ref name="bacon">https://www.ancient-origins.net/ancient-technology/dendera-light-0081</ref> But when considering the cultural and historical contexts associated with the depiction, there is a much larger story to tell. | ||
===Discovery=== | ===Discovery=== | ||
---- | ---- | ||
==History of Hathor Temple== | ==History of Hathor Temple== | ||
Home to the Dendera Lightbulb, Hathor temple lies within the Dandarah temple complex south of Qena along the West Nile in Egypt. This ancient Egyptian temple remains one of the most well-preserved pieces of Egyptian Architecture to date, and contains many pieces of archaeological and cultural evidence about ancient Egypt.<ref name="multiple">“Middle Kingdom Monuments Dendera Temple Complex.” Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum, 2021, egyptianmuseum.org/explore/middle-kingdom-monuments-dendera-temple-complex.</ref> The Hathor temple plays a major role in Egyptian history, it was a prominent site for the cult of Hathor, and acted as a sanctuary for healing, rituals, and celebrations. Hathor temple has undergone several bouts of reconstruction over many different historical periods, but it's original construction can date back to the rule of Ptolemy XII, but wasn't completed until the reign of Queen Cleopatra VII between 54-20 BCE.<ref name="name">Ugc. “Hathor Temple.” Atlas Obscura, 27 Nov. 2021, www.atlasobscura.com/places/hathor-temple.</ref> | Home to the Dendera Lightbulb, Hathor temple lies within the Dandarah temple complex south of Qena along the West Nile in Egypt. This ancient Egyptian temple remains one of the most well-preserved pieces of Egyptian Architecture to date, and contains many pieces of archaeological and cultural evidence about ancient Egypt.<ref name="multiple">“Middle Kingdom Monuments Dendera Temple Complex.” Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum, 2021, egyptianmuseum.org/explore/middle-kingdom-monuments-dendera-temple-complex.</ref> The Hathor temple plays a major role in Egyptian history, it was a prominent site for the cult of Hathor, and acted as a sanctuary for healing, rituals, and celebrations. Hathor temple has undergone several bouts of reconstruction over many different historical periods, but it's original construction can date back to the rule of Ptolemy XII, but wasn't completed until the reign of Queen Cleopatra VII between 54-20 BCE.<ref name="name">Ugc. “Hathor Temple.” Atlas Obscura, 27 Nov. 2021, www.atlasobscura.com/places/hathor-temple.</ref> | ||
===Uses of the Temple=== | ===Uses of the Temple=== | ||
Revision as of 22:42, 30 November 2021
The Dendera Lightbulb
The concept of the Dendera Lightbulb comes from a set of inscriptions located on a chamber wall in the Temple of Hathor in Egypt. The depictions shows what is theorized to be an version of a lightbulb known as a "crookes tube". [1] The pseudoarcheaological interpretation of the artifact is that of an ancient lightbulb, which is seen as proof of ancient civilizations having access to advanced technologies. The depictions are seen as representing a bulb with a filament winding through the middle, with a socket that connects a cord to box underneath the bulb which is being held up by a two armed pillar.[2] But when considering the cultural and historical contexts associated with the depiction, there is a much larger story to tell.
Discovery
History of Hathor Temple
Home to the Dendera Lightbulb, Hathor temple lies within the Dandarah temple complex south of Qena along the West Nile in Egypt. This ancient Egyptian temple remains one of the most well-preserved pieces of Egyptian Architecture to date, and contains many pieces of archaeological and cultural evidence about ancient Egypt.[3] The Hathor temple plays a major role in Egyptian history, it was a prominent site for the cult of Hathor, and acted as a sanctuary for healing, rituals, and celebrations. Hathor temple has undergone several bouts of reconstruction over many different historical periods, but it's original construction can date back to the rule of Ptolemy XII, but wasn't completed until the reign of Queen Cleopatra VII between 54-20 BCE.[4]
Uses of the Temple
The Hathor Temple played an important role in Egyptian religious practices and celebrations.
Hathor Goddess
The goddess Hathor plays an important and multifaceted role within ancient Egyptian culture and religion. Hathor was a many faced goddess and was a deity of many crucial cultural elements in ancient Egypt. Not only was Hathor the counterpart to major God Horus, but she was also represented concepts such as beauty, love, fertility, as well as music and dancing.[4] Hathor was a feminine goddess who was represented in many forms, suiting to her dynamic nature. She is often depicted with cow horns atop her head representing her motherly nature and symbiology. Worship of Hathor took place all throughout Egypt, but the Hathor temple is the largest and most well known site dedicated to the goddess and her partner Horus.
Uses of the Temple
Pseudoarcheological Interpretation
The Dendera Lightbulb has been represented in multiple popular media sources, bringing major attention to this site. Most notably, the Dendera Lightbulb made an appearance in popular History channel original, Ancient Aliens. The concept of advanced ancient technology based on the Dendera depictions can even be found in the novel Eye of the Sphinx by the world renowned ancient alien theorist Eric Van Däniken.
Deconstructing the Narrative
References
- ↑ https://ancientegyptonline.co.uk/denderahlightbulb/
- ↑ https://www.ancient-origins.net/ancient-technology/dendera-light-0081
- ↑ “Middle Kingdom Monuments Dendera Temple Complex.” Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum, 2021, egyptianmuseum.org/explore/middle-kingdom-monuments-dendera-temple-complex.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Ugc. “Hathor Temple.” Atlas Obscura, 27 Nov. 2021, www.atlasobscura.com/places/hathor-temple.