New Tombs Found at Saqqara

Originally published January 5, 2010 | Zahi Hawass' Blog | by Dr. Hawass |

Saqqara yields two rediscovered tombs, dating back 2,500 years, the oldest found in the area, replete with human and falcon remains and pottery. Despite it having been looted and explored throughout the millennia, it proves that Saqqara has many more secrets.

Three sources announce different facts about the discoveries in addition to Dr. Hawass' account, which is far more descriptive: The Sydney Morning Herald, which discloses mostly topographical information; IOL, which contains a few dates and measurements; and possibly the most interesting source from the Discovery New, which includes great photographs of the discovery.

Sacred Pharaonic-Era Lake Found in Egypt

Originally published October 2009 | Press TV

This discovery is of particular interest (possibly "significant" is a better word) to me, considering Tanis is the location that plays a fundamental role in my historic novel, set during the 1926/7 archaeological season in Egypt, one full year prior to the first discovery of a sacred lake in Tanis in 1928 (funny how none of these articles mention Pierre Montet...hmph). Naturally, as with all instances of Egypt-inspired novels, there is a curse involved; yet, this curse is less gimmicky that depicted in film ;)

Here are some other places that are reporting on the same story: the Star Online and Earth Times.

The Art of the Amarna Period

Originally published August 20 - 26, 2009 | Al-Ahram Weekly Online

The inspiration for this article comes in the form of a statue of an Amarna princess of unknown origins. The estimated time of its creation is the Amarna Period. With that, the rest of the article chronicles the life and times of Akhenaten, his wife Nefertiti, their children, and their life and religion that was the foundation for what is known as the Amarna Period.

I think this period is the most intriguing due to its complete lack of interest in the norm in Egyptian art and religion (perhaps it's better said that Akhenaten was uninterested in keeping to old traditions). You have to admire him for his originality and passion for his family.

Cave Complex Allegedly Found Under Giza Pyramids

Originally published August 13, 2009 | Discovery News | by Rossella Lorenzi

The following is a peek at the latest regarding "the lost underworld of the pharaohs," discovered by at British archaeologist, who claims to have found an underground cave complex. Picking up where Henry Salt left off, British explorer Andrew Collins puts his finding to print in "Beneath the Pyramids," which will come out in September.

An enormous system of caves, chambers and tunnels lies hidden beneath the Pyramids of Giza, according to a British explorer who claims to have found the lost underworld of the pharaohs.

Populated by bats and venomous spiders, the underground complex was found in the limestone bedrock beneath the pyramid field at Giza.

See my other blog post entitled "British Writer Discovers the Pharaoh's Lost Underworld" about this matter.

Press Release - New Discoveries at Saqqara

Originally published June 24, 2009 | Zahi Hawass' Blog | by Dr. Hawass

While performing routine conservation work, Egyptian archaeologists stumble upon some artifacts inside a deep hole near the southern side of the Step Pyramid, the likes of which are illustrated in pictures in this press release.

How Where the Pyramids Built?

Originally published May 20, 2009 | Talk Pyramids Blog

This 6-part blog post on Talk Pyramids announces a new model at the Boston Museum that shows how the pyramids were built according to the external spiral ramp theory. Following this small blurb and accompanying photo, are a handful of other blog posts that describe previous theories on Egyptian pyramid building. They include:

1. Donald B. Redford's traditional theory, where a mud brick ramp was employed, oiled to help teams of oxen and men, not slaves, bring up blocks of limestone, and where local limestone served as the pyramid core and finer quality limestone as the casing
2. A docudrama from the BBC entitled Building the Great Pyramid.
3. John Romer's unique theory based on the traditional theory, documented in a video entitled Secrets of the Great Pyramid
4. The cement pyramid theory, first introduced by David Davidovitts, where he states that the Egyptians used limestone-based concrete to create perfectly formed blocks, using the Famine Stele as his proof. His theory was later supported by Michel Barsoum who proved it with science and by Linn Hobbs' team that tested the theory in creating their own concrete limestone block.
5. Jean-Pierre Houdin's internal ramp theory, inspired by the spiral ramp theory, that he hopes to prove with technology.
6. And Mark Lehner's theory that it was a band of Egyptians and not slaves who built the pyramids, using the remains of a "pyramid city" nearby as his evidence.