Dendera light

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Dendera light, showing the single representation on the left wall of the right wing in one of the crypts

Unsolved problems in Egyptology: Did Egyptians have some form of understanding of electricity? Did the Egyptians use batteries? What is the relief at Dendera?

The Dendera light comprises three stone reliefs located (one single and a double representation) in the Hathor temple at the Dendera Temple complex in Egypt. The images are interpreted by traditional Egyptologists to depicting lotus flowers spawning a snake, representing aspects of Egyptian mythology:

The splendid but enigmatic reliefs of the crypt are cosmogonical and depict the serpent (dualizing principle underlying all creation: In Genesis the separation of heaven and earth) borne aloft by the lotus, the symbol of creation as a manifestation of consciousness.

Controversy arose when the main object in the images was interpreted by some as electric lamps based on comparison to modern devices. These individuals believe the object may be electric lamps. Engineers have constructed a working model based on the reliefs and some authors (such as Peter Krassa and Reinhard Habeck) have produced a basic theory of the device's operation.

[edit] See also

• Baghdad Battery
• Egyptian mythology

[edit] Gallery

Double representation on the right wall.

Double representation on the right wall.

[edit] References

• Krassa, P., and R. Habeck, "Das Licht der Pharaonen.". ISBN 3-548-35657-5 (Tr. The Light of the Pharaos)

[edit] External links

• The Dendera Reliefs, Catchpenny Mysteries.
• Frank Dörnenburg, Electric lights in Egypt?. 2004. (ed. An analysis of how the Egyptians didn't have electricity).
• Electricity in ancient times. WUFOC and NÄRKONTAKT.