Omar Khayyam, The Astronomer-Poet of Persia. Omar Khayyam was born at Naishapur in Khorassan in the latter half of our Eleventh, and died within the First Quarter of our Twelfth Century. The Slender Story of his Life is curiously twined about that of two other very considerable Figures in their Time and Country: one of… Continue reading Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam
Tag: pyramids
Ancient Mayan Pyramids
My family and I are headed out of town on a much needed and deserved vacation. We are cruising through Mexico making stops in Belize, Costa Maya, Cozumel, and the Bahamas! I will have a TON of photos to post when I return. I am so looking forward to touring the Mayan Ruins. I will… Continue reading Ancient Mayan Pyramids
Converging Pyramids
The Pyramids were not laid out willy-nilly on the Giza Plateau. Each side of each of the three Pyramids lines up precisely east-west or north-south. It’s a bit of a mystery how the ancients achieved such a perfect alignment, considering they did not have the magnetic compass at their disposal. The Pyramids’ proportions are just… Continue reading Converging Pyramids
Interview with Dr. Zahi Hawass, Director of the Pyramids
NOVA: Recently your crews unearthed one of the only intact tombs found since the discovery of King Tut’s tomb in the 1920s. What was that like? Hawass: Very exciting. When I attended the opening of the tomb, it was like looking at the past and the future. There was a big, six-ton sarcophagus. I had… Continue reading Interview with Dr. Zahi Hawass, Director of the Pyramids
History of Giza
Standing at the base of the Great Pyramid, it is hard to imagine that this monument—which remained the tallest building in the world until early in this century—was built in just under 30 years. It presides over the plateau of Giza, on the outskirts of Cairo, and is the last survivor of the Seven Wonders… Continue reading History of Giza
The Sphinx
The Sphinx, which embodies the body of a lion and the head of a pharaoh, is believed to be the head of Khafre and his guardian spirit for his entire burial complex. Carved from the natural limestone of Giza, the sphinx has disintegrated over the years, entire pieces dropping off to the desert floor below.… Continue reading The Sphinx