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Pyramid Quest: Secrets of the Great Pyramid and the Dawn of Civilization
The Egyptologist acclaimed for re-dating the Great Sphinx at Giza sets his sights on one of the true mysteries of antiquity: the Great Pyramid of Giza.
What is the Great Pyramid of Giza? Ask that basic question of a traditional Egyptologist, and you get the basic, traditional answer: a fancy tombstone for a self-important pharaoh of the Old Kingdom. This, Egyptologists argue, is the sole finding based on the data, and the only deduction supported by science.
By implication, anyone who dissents from this point of view is unscientific and woolly-minded-a believer in magic and ghosts. Indeed, some of the unconventional ideas about the Great Pyramid do have a spectacularly fabulous ring to them. Yet from beneath the obvious terms of this controversy, a deeper, more significant question arises: how is it that the Great Pyramid exercises such a gripping hold on the human psyche- adding cryptic grace to the back of the one-dollar bill and framing myriad claims of New Age "pyramid power"?
In Pyramid Quest, Robert M. Schoch and Robert Aquinas McNally use the rigorous intellectual analysis of scientific inquiry to investigate what we know about the Great Pyramid, and develop a stunning hypothesis: This ancient monument is the strongest proof yet that civilization began thousands of years earlier than is generally thought, extending far back into a little-known time. In tracing that story, we come to understand not only the Great Pyramid but also our own origins as civilized beings.
What is the Great Pyramid of Giza? Ask that basic question of a traditional Egyptologist, and you get the basic, traditional answer: a fancy tombstone for a self-important pharaoh of the Old Kingdom. This, Egyptologists argue, is the sole finding based on the data, and the only deduction supported by science.
By implication, anyone who dissents from this point of view is unscientific and woolly-minded-a believer in magic and ghosts. Indeed, some of the unconventional ideas about the Great Pyramid do have a spectacularly fabulous ring to them. Yet from beneath the obvious terms of this controversy, a deeper, more significant question arises: how is it that the Great Pyramid exercises such a gripping hold on the human psyche- adding cryptic grace to the back of the one-dollar bill and framing myriad claims of New Age "pyramid power"?
In Pyramid Quest, Robert M. Schoch and Robert Aquinas McNally use the rigorous intellectual analysis of scientific inquiry to investigate what we know about the Great Pyramid, and develop a stunning hypothesis: This ancient monument is the strongest proof yet that civilization began thousands of years earlier than is generally thought, extending far back into a little-known time. In tracing that story, we come to understand not only the Great Pyramid but also our own origins as civilized beings.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published June 2, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 17, 2023
Very indepth, non-bias, look at everything about the Giza Plateau and more. Incredibly discerning look at what is "known" and purported. Highly recommend anything by Robert Schoch.
May 15, 2013
Very good. Scientific analysis of what the purpose of the pyramids could have been used for. Very well researched.
April 21, 2023
This book mixes Egyptology with New Age. While it summarises the main theories both mainstream and fantastical about the Great Pyramid very well, it champions a theory leaning towards New Age. The first two chapters provide a broad overview over the most significant and well-known theories about the Great Pyramid as well as a thorough description of its exterior and interior: measurements, location, … The connection between the alignment of the Great Pyramid and astronomy is also very interesting. However, chapter 3 and 4 are purely speculative and seem to be based more on New Age theories. All in all, it provides an easy light read.
September 17, 2023
Extremely comprehensive analysis of all of the main theories regarding the pyramids at Giza. From the mundane to the metaphysical, Pyramid Quest covers it all. One thing I love is that there's no real conclusion. Most books on 'alternative' archaeology try to steer the reader towards a particular Theory of Everything (tm). You have to read the end before the beginning. This book is nothing like that. It's just a rundown of various theories along with their evidences. It's also well-cited. That's everything a book positing non-mainstream views has to be.
February 4, 2016
An interesting theory. I don't know enough about the pyramid to know if this is feasible. Good read though.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews