WU member since Oct. 2005. I enjoy reading, crafts, crosswords, puttering in the yard, old movies and hanging out with my friends on WU.
By: palmettobug53, 2:49 AM GMT on March 30, 2006
Excerpt from The Theban Mapping Project site:
Hidden behind the Theban Hills, on the West Bank of the Nile, lies the Valley of the Kings (abbreviated as KV), also known as Biban al Muluk and Wadi al Muluk. It was chosen as the burial place for most of Egypt's New Kingdom rulers for several reasons. As the crow flies, the Valley is very close to the cultivated banks of the river. It is small, surrounded by steep cliffs, and easily guarded. The local limestone, cut millions of years ago by torrential rains to form the Valley, is of good quality. And towering above the Valley is a mountain, al Qurn ("the horn" in Arabic), whose shape may have reminded the ancient Egyptians of a pyramid, and is dedicated to the goddess Meretseger.
There are 62 numbered royal and private tombs in the Valley of the Kings, ranging from a simple pit (KV 54) to a tomb with over 121 chambers and corridors (KV 5). Most were found already plundered. A few, like the tomb of Tutankhamen (KV 62) or that of Yuya and Thuyu (KV 46), and Maiherperi (KV36), contained thousands of precious artifacts. Some tombs have been accessible since antiquity, as Greek and Latin graffiti attest, some were used as dwellings or a church during the Graeco-Roman and Byzantine Periods, and others have been discovered only in the past two hundred years. Some, like KV 5, had been "lost," and their location rediscovered only recently.
The Valley of the Kings is divided into the East and the West Valleys. The East Valley contains most of the tombs and is the most commonly visited by tourists. But the West Valley covers a larger area and is the least explored of the two. It has only two royal tombs, those of Amenhetep III (KV 22) and Ay (KV 23).
This is the principal burial site for the rulers of Egypt's New Kingdom. Its tombs contain unique examples of funerary decoration.
The Theban Mapping Project has been working to prepare a comprehensive archaeological database of Thebes. In recent years, the TMP has concentrated on the Valley of the Kings. Modern surveying techniques were used to measure its tombs. From the data collected, the TMP is preparing 3-D computer models of the tombs.
Theban Mapping Project
Take your time when visiting the TMP site. There is so much information, it really does require some quiet time to fully appreciate it. Be sure to take their 3D tours. To get to the tours, select "launch this site in the KV Atlas" on the home page. The once the next window loads, select a tomb from the map. Then select "3D tomb" at the bottom. I was unable to view the images correctly to use the Zoom in and out. Click "default image" for a still image. Each tomb also has a movie. A couple of years ago, I was on the KV5 site, and there were virtual tours. I can't seem to find them now, but they may be in there somewhere. The site is huge.
Plan of KV5
Excerpt from the Theban Mapping Project site:
KV 5 is located in the main wadi of the Valley of the Kings. The tomb may originally have been a Dynasty 18 tomb usurped by Rameses II as the burial place for several of his principal sons. Still under excavation, the tomb has so far revealed 121 corridors and chambers. Since the tomb appears to have several bilaterally symmetrical sections, it is likely that the number of chambers will increase to 150 or more in subsequent field seasons. KV 5 itself is the largest tomb in the Valley; pillared chamber 3 is the largest chamber of any tomb in the Valley of the Kings.
At least six royal sons are known to have been interred in KV 5. Since there are more than twenty representations of sons carved on its walls, there may have been that many sons interred in the tomb.
Rameses II was buried in KV 7, opposite the KV5 site.
Tutankhamen was buried in KV62.
To find the map with the numbered tombs, scroll down on the TMP home page, and select "sites". Click on one, and it will bring up a new window with info for that tomb. This is a different page from the one with the 3D tours.
Updated: 3:37 AM GMT on March 30, 2006
By: palmettobug53, 4:51 AM GMT on March 19, 2006
Japanese Tea House used in the Cha-No-Yu Ceremony
"No," he said, "look, it's very, very simple...all I want...is a cup of tea. You are going to make one for me. Keep quiet and listen."
And he sat. He told the Nutri-Matic about India, he told it about China, he told it about Ceylon. He told it about broad leaves drying in the sun. He told it about silver teapots. He told it about summer afternoons on the lawn. He told it about putting in the milk before the tea so it wouldn't get scalded. He even told it (briefly) about the history of the East India Company.
"So, that's it, is it?" said the Nutri-Matic, when he had finished.
"Yes," said Arthur, "that is what I want."
"You want the taste of dried leaves boiled in water?"
"Er, yes. With milk."
"Squirted out of a cow?"
"Well, in a manner of speaking, I suppose...."
"I'm going to need some help with this one," said the machine, tersely. All the cheerful burbling had dropped out of its voice and it now meant business.
"Well, anything I can do," said Arthur.
"You've done quite enough," the Nutri-Matic informed him.
It summoned up the ship's computer.
"Hi there!" said the ship's computer.
The Nutri-Matic explained about tea to the ship's computer. The computer boggled, linked logic circuits with the Nutr-Matic and together they lapsed into a grim silence.
Arthur watched and waited for a while, but nothing further happened.
He thumped it, but still nothing happened.
Eventually, he gave up and wandered up to the bridge...
From The More Than Complete Hitchhiker's Guide by Douglas Adams
The taste of dried leaves boiled in water. What a prosaic description of one of the most enjoyable beverages the denizens of Earth have ever tasted. The taste for tea changed the course of history in more ways than one.
What is your favorite tea? Do you prefer it iced or hot?
Do you make a ritual of your tea drinking? Let's spend the next few days discussing our tea drinking habits, tea history and trivia.
Updated: 11:46 PM GMT on March 25, 2006
By: palmettobug53, 11:16 PM GMT on March 09, 2006
Well, coming home from work yesterday, I spotted my first robin of spring! I was cutting through the local neighborhood, to avoid the big traffic tangle at the intersection near my house. Was at a stop sign, looked to my left, and there he was! Busily tugging away, on what looked to be a good sized worm!
All this week, I've seen the tulip trees blooming to beat the band. I've spotted a few dogwoods budding out and, of course, the azaleas have already thrown out some splashes of color. It might be another week or so, and the annual Lowcountry blaze of color will be in full swing! I know everyone is partial to their own locality, as they watch the changing of the seasons, but I swear! I don't think there's anything as pretty as the Lowcountry in the spring!
So, with this blog, I invite you all to share us the first signs of spring you've spotted in your neighborhood.
Updated: 6:18 PM GMT on March 10, 2006
By: palmettobug53, 4:55 AM GMT on March 04, 2006
Well that last blog just really wasn't moving much. May have to try that idea, or something similiar at a later time. Dallas suggested that I do one on bad movies. Especially those old B movies from the 50's. There are some real stinkers out there, too. So, here it is:
The Giant Gila Monster
How many others can you come up with?
Updated: 4:59 AM GMT on March 04, 2006