Gadling http://www.gadling.com Gadling http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Gadling http://www.gadling.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[The Last Pyramids Of Egypt]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/21/the-last-pyramids-of-egypt/http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/21/the-last-pyramids-of-egypt/http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/21/the-last-pyramids-of-egypt/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

pyramids
They just don't make pyramids like they used to.

The pyramids of Egypt have fascinated people ever since they were built. The Step Pyramid at Saqqara started things off around 2650 B.C. Later came the iconic pyramids of Giza. What's often forgotten, however, is that pyramid construction continued for more than a thousand years and there are at least 138 built to house the remains of pharaohs and queens. More are still being discovered. Last year, satellite imagery revealed seventeen previously unknown pyramids.

The later pyramids of Egypt tend to be overlooked, and it's easy to see why considering the sad state of most of them. Just take a look at this photo of the pyramid of Senusret II (ruled 1895-1878 B.C.) and photographed by Jon Bodsworth. Like a lot of later pyramids, it was made of mud bricks instead of stone blocks to save money, and that's why it's a giant sad lump today - an interesting lump, though.

The interior tunnels are still intact and archaeologists discovered the nearby village where the workmen lived. Contrary to popular belief, slaves didn't construct the pyramids. Actually, it was trained craftsmen and farmers who didn't have any other work to do when their fields were underwater during the annual flooding of the Nile.

Senusret II was part of the 12th Dynasty, a high point in Egyptian power and civilization. It's strange then that pyramids were in decline. You can see several of these pyramids at Dahsur, not far from Saqqara and an easy day trip from Cairo. One is the Black Pyramid of Amenemhat III (ruled 1842-1797 B.C.). It started to collapse almost immediately so he had to build a second one at the Faiyum Oasis near a giant temple to the crocodile god Sobek. This site reopened last year.

Gallery: The Last Pyramids of Egypt

Remnants of the stone exterior of Pyramid of Senusret I (ruled 1962-1928 BC)Internal structure of Pyramid of Senusret IPyramid of Amenemhat I, with modern Muslim graveyard in frontPectoral of Senusret IIPyramid complex of Senusret III (ruled 1878-1842 BC) with queens' pyramids

Continue reading The Last Pyramids Of Egypt

The Last Pyramids Of Egypt originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 21 May 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureadventure traveladventure traveleradventure travelersadventure travelsadventure-travelAdventureTravelAdventureTravelerAdventureTravelersAdventureTravelsancient architectureancient Egyptancient egyptian religionancient historyAncientArchitectureAncientEgyptAncientEgyptianReligionAncientHistoryarchaeologyarcheologyarchitectureartart historyArtHistoryEgyptegyptologyhistoryMiddle KingdomMiddleKingdompharoahPharoahspyramidpyramidsMon, 21 May 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Met Showcases Predynastic Art Of Egypt]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/13/met-showcases-predynastic-art-of-egypt/http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/13/met-showcases-predynastic-art-of-egypt/http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/13/met-showcases-predynastic-art-of-egypt/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Predynastic Art, Egypt, MetThe Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City has one of the best collections of ancient Egyptian art in the world. Now it has opened a special exhibition focusing on the lesser-known art from the early days of Egypt before the pharaohs.

"The Dawn of Egyptian Art" brings together art from the Predynastic and Early Dynastic Periods (ca. 4000-2650 B.C.), a time when Egypt was developing into a society with towns, specialized labor and, eventually, a centralized government. This broad swath of time included several distinct local cultures that slowly became the ancient Egypt that we are familiar with.

The main culture was the Naqada culture. Villages each had their own animal deities, many of which survived as gods and goddesses of dynastic Egypt. The dead were buried with works of art such as jewelry and figurines of these deities. As agriculture became more important in the fertile Nile valley, villages grew into towns and art flourished. Local rulers became more powerful and expanded their territories until Egypt was two kingdoms: Upper and Lower Egypt.

The 175 objects from the Met's collection, and those of a dozen other institutions, put Predynastic Art into its historical and cultural context as well as display them as objects of beauty. For example, this female figure, shown here in a photo courtesy the Brooklyn Museum, was made about 3500-3400 B.C. and is typical of the highly abstracted figures made throughout most of the Predynastic Period. It's unclear what this figure symbolized, although many Egyptologists think these figures are goddesses, since similar figures painted onto pots are always larger than the male "priests" shown next to them.

Some art is easier to identify, like ships and hunting scenes painted onto pottery or on tomb walls. There are also statues of gods and goddesses, many of which can be identified as the major deities of the age of the pharaohs. A masterpiece of early Egyptian art is the Narmer Palette, seen in the gallery, which commemorates the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt in the 31st century B.C.

For more information, check out this excellent page on Predynastic Art and check out the gallery below.

"The Dawn of Egyptian Art" runs until August 5.

Gallery: Egypt before the Pharaohs

Palette in the shape of a pair of turtles, Naqada II (c. 3650-3300 BC)Naqada I bone figureThe Narmer PaletteNaqada II vessel showing a possible boatIvory Hippo from Naqada I Period, c. 4000-3500 BC

Met Showcases Predynastic Art Of Egypt originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 13 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ancient egyptancient egyptianancient egyptian artancient egyptian religionAncientEgyptAncientEgyptianAncientEgyptianArtAncientEgyptianReligionarchaeologyArchaeologyNewsarcheologyArcheologyNewsartart historyart newsArtHistoryArtNewsEgyptEgyptian artEgyptianArtEgyptologyEgyptologyNewshistoryMetmetropolitan museum of artMetropolitanMuseumOfArtmuseummuseum newsMuseumNewsmuseumsnew york cityNewYorkCityPredynastic ArtPredynasticArtprehistoryFri, 13 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fact vs. Fiction: The Great Pyramids in Cairo, Egypt]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/10/fact-vs-fiction-the-great-pyramids-in-cairo-egypt/http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/10/fact-vs-fiction-the-great-pyramids-in-cairo-egypt/http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/10/fact-vs-fiction-the-great-pyramids-in-cairo-egypt/#commentsFiled under: ,



Life on the Giza Plateau outside of Cairo is a lot more hectic than advertised on the travel agent brochure, but we'll let our friend Rolf Potts explain the difference.



Next: The Bazaars of Istanbul, Turkey >>

Fact vs. Fiction: The Great Pyramids in Cairo, Egypt originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 10 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Tue, 10 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ancient Egyptian tombs to be reopened]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/27/ancient-egyptian-tombs-to-be-reopened/http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/27/ancient-egyptian-tombs-to-be-reopened/http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/27/ancient-egyptian-tombs-to-be-reopened/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Ancient Egyptian
A visit to the pyramids at Giza in Egypt has just become even more interesting with the imminent reopening of six ancient Egyptian tombs nearby.

The tombs have been closed for many years for restoration, including the removal of graffiti left by people who don't deserve to travel. The tombs are part of the Western Cemetery reserved for minor royalty and high officials of the Fourth Dynasty (c.2613-2494 BC) who were important enough to be buried near the pharaohs they served in life.

One is the tomb of Seshem-Nefer, who had the august title of "overseer of the two seats of the House of Life and keeper of the king's secrets." His large is visible in the foreground of this photo courtesy Hannah Pethen.

Other tombs include those of a royal treasurer, high priests and other functionaries. Only one of the tombs is for a member of the royal family -- Princess Mersankh, the granddaughter of King Khufu, whose pyramid is the largest in Egypt.

Several of the tombs have brightly painted scenes of daily life, such as hunting and spending time with family, making them a good way to gain insight into the world of ancient Egypt.

Ancient Egyptian tombs to be reopened originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 27 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureadventure traveladventure travelsadventure vacationadventure vacationsAdventureTravelAdventureTravelsAdventureVacationAdventureVacationsAncient EgyptianAncientEgyptianAncientHistoryarchaeologyarchaeology newsArchaeologyNewsarcheologyarcheology newsArcheologyNewsegyptegypt travelegyptologyegyptology newsEgyptologyNewsEgyptTravelGizarestorationtombs of GizaTombsOfGizaTue, 27 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA['Egyptomania' grips Houston]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/19/egyptomania-grips-houston/http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/19/egyptomania-grips-houston/http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/19/egyptomania-grips-houston/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

EgyptomaniaThe Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, Texas, has just opened a new exhibition exploring the West's fascination with ancient Egypt.

"Egyptomania" collects forty objects from the Egyptian revivals of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. This was the time when the West became widely aware of the great civilization of Egypt and started excavating there. Cutting open mummies became popular entertainment, the rich collected Egyptian artifacts, and it seemed like everyone wanted to own something in the Egyptian style -- like this Art Deco perfume bottle shown here in a photo courtesy MFAH. It was designed by Baccarat c. 1930. Other items on display are Egyptian-style furniture, garden sphinxes (much cooler than garden gnomes) and even Egyptian asparagus tongs.

Visitors to the museum can get a double dose of ancient Egypt right now because the traveling exhibition "Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs" is on display through April 15. This exhibition features more than a hundred artifacts, most of which have never been shown in the U.S. prior to this tour.

If this isn't enough to stave off your Egyptomaniacal cravings, I suggest a trip to the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum & Planetarium in San Jose, California. This place is a strange hybrid of serious museum and cultish quackery founded by a modern spiritual group inspired by ancient Egypt.

"Egyptomania" runs from March 18 through July 29.

'Egyptomania' grips Houston originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 19 Mar 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ancient egyptAncientEgyptarchaeologyArchaeologyNewsarcheologyarcheology newsArcheologyNewsartart exhibitionsart historyart newsArtExhibitionsArtHistoryArtNewsCaliforniaegyptegyptologyEgyptologyNewsegyptomaniaexhibitionshoustonmuseummuseum newsmuseum of fine art houstonMuseumNewsMuseumOfFineArtHoustonmuseumsmusuemRosicrucianSan JoseSanJosetexasMon, 19 Mar 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Previously unknown Egyptian pharaoh discovered]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/07/previously-unknown-egyptian-pharaoh-discovered/http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/07/previously-unknown-egyptian-pharaoh-discovered/http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/07/previously-unknown-egyptian-pharaoh-discovered/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Karnak, Egyptian pharaoh

Egyptologists have made a stunning discovery at the famous temple of Luxor: an inscription naming a previously unknown Egyptian pharaoh.

A French team restoring a temple of Amon Ra found hieroglyphs bearing the name "Nekht In Ra." The inscription dates to the 17th dynasty, a relatively little-known dynasty from a murky period in Egyptian history.

The mysterious dynasty was the last of the Second Intermediate Period, a time when northern Egypt was ruled by Semitic invaders called the Hyksos and the rest of Egypt had fragmented into various factions. The 17th dynasty dated from around 1585 to 1550 BC and had their capital at Thebes, next to Luxor. Most of the dates of its rulers are not known for certain and in many cases it's not even known how long they ruled or who was related to whom. Thus the discovery of a "new" pharaoh, while important, doesn't come as a huge surprise.

It's unclear just how Nekht In Ra fits into the king list of the ten previously known 17th dynasty pharaohs. The Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities has called for further excavation at the discovery site to find more pieces to the puzzle.

While the 17th dynasty is obscure, it was hugely important to Egyptian history because the last two pharaohs waged war on the Hyksos and eventually defeated them, although both pharaohs appear to have died in battle. The 18th dynasty marked the beginning of the New Kingdom, a flowering of Egyptian culture and power that lasted five centuries.

Several interesting items survive from the 17th dynasty and are now on display. Check out the gallery for a sample.

Gallery: Egypt's mysterious 17th dynasty

Egypt during the Second Intermediate PeriodWooden coffin of 17th dynasty pharaoh Nebkheperre Intef, British Museum, LondonRed granite statue of pharaoh Sobkemsaf I, British MuseumBasrelief of Sobekemsaf I, Karnak, EgyptPainting from Tomb of the Dancers, now in Ashmolean Museum, Oxford


Photo of entrance into the Precinct of Amon-Re courtesy Wikimedia Commons.

Previously unknown Egyptian pharaoh discovered originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 07 Mar 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureadventure traveladventure travelsadventure vacationadventure vacationsAdventureTravelAdventureTravelsAdventureVacationAdventureVacationsancient Egyptancient historyAncientEgyptAncientHistoryApplearchaeologyArchaeologyNewsarcheologyArcheologyNewsEgyptEgypt tourismEgypt travelEgyptian pharaohEgyptian pharaoh discoveredEgyptian pharaohsEgyptianPharaohEgyptianPharaohDiscoveredEgyptianPharaohsEgyptologyEgyptologyNewsEgyptTourismEgyptTravelhieroglyphhieroglyphichieroglyphsHyksosKarnakLuxormummiesmummyNew KingdomNewKingdompharaohPharaohsSecond Intermediate PeriodSecondIntermediatePeriodWed, 07 Mar 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sacred ship from ancient Egypt is undergoing restoration]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/21/sacred-ship-from-ancient-egypt-is-undergoing-restoration/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/21/sacred-ship-from-ancient-egypt-is-undergoing-restoration/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/21/sacred-ship-from-ancient-egypt-is-undergoing-restoration/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

ancient Egypt, solar boatA sacred boat that lay hidden in the sands of the Sahara for 4,500 years will be restored and put on display, Egyptian authorities say.

The boat is one of a pair discovered buried next to the pyramid of the Pharaoh Khufu at Giza, also known as the Great Pyramid. They rested in long, stone-covered pits.

The first boat, shown here in this photo courtesy Berthold Werner, was excavated in 1954 and is already on display at the Solar Boat Museum at Giza. It's considered one of the most remarkable finds from ancient Egypt and is similar in design to the feluccas that still ply the Nile today.

Japanese and Egyptian archaeologists are working together to gather samples of the second boat's wood in order to understand how best to restore and preserve it. The current project to uncover and analyze the second boat has been going on since 1992. Last summer the painstaking task of excavating and removing the boat from its pit was completed.

According to tests, the boat is made of Lebanon cedar and is actually a little older than the reign of the Pharaoh Khufu, who ruled from 2551-2528 BC, according to the Japanese team. His name has been found inscribed on the boat.

It's not certain that the two vessels were actually used, and may have only been symbolic boats to carry the pharaoh across the sky with the sun god Ra in the afterlife. Egyptians were often buried with little statues of servants, animals, soldiers, and even entire farms to serve them in the hereafter.

Sacred ship from ancient Egypt is undergoing restoration originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 21 Feb 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ancient egyptancient egyptian religionAncientEgyptAncientEgyptianReligionancietn historyAncietnHistoryarchaeologyArchaeologyNewsarcheologyArcheologyNewsCheopsconservationEgyptegyptologyEgyptologyNewsGizahistoryKhufupyramidpyramidsrestorationsciencescience newsScienceNewssolar boatSolarBoatTue, 21 Feb 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Animal mummies discovered in Egypt]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/18/animal-mummies-discovered-in-egypt/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/18/animal-mummies-discovered-in-egypt/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/18/animal-mummies-discovered-in-egypt/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

animal mummiesA cache of animal mummies is among the finds from a recent excavation in Egypt.

The discovery was made by a University of Toronto team last summer at Abydos and was announced at a recent meeting. Abydos was the first burial ground for the pharaohs and remained a holy place throughout the history of ancient Egypt. The tomb of Osiris, king of underworld, was believed to be there.

Because of this, Egyptians wanted to be buried there too and numerous tombs have been found at the site. The Canadian team found a mysterious building that contained a pile of animal mummies. These animals could have served various purposes. Usually they were offerings to the gods, but they could also act as food for the afterlife or even post-mortem pets.

Many of the deities of Egypt had animal heads and aspects, and animals that were mummified as offerings were of the same species as the associated god. Hawks were dedicated to Horus, ibises to Thoth, cats to Sekhmet, etc.

Most of the 83 animal mummies found in Abydos in the latest field season were dogs, and may have been offerings to Wepwawet, a wolf-headed god associated with Osiris. Wepwawet was a war god and an "opener of the ways" who protected the dead on their journey into the underworld. The team also uncovered mummified sheep, goats, and two cats.

The function of the building where these mummies were found is unclear, although it may have been a temple. It's not known exactly when it was built either. A few inscriptions at the site refer to Seti I, who ruled from 1290-1279 BC. The team also found a wooden statue that may represent Hatshepsut, a female pharaoh who ruled from 1479-1458 BC, and two tombs. One of them tombs has yet to be opened.

Animal mummies are common finds throughout Egypt. Everything from shrews to catfish to bulls were dipped in preservatives and wrapped in linen. Some were given elaborate sarcophagi, like the gilded one shown in the photo gallery. Others mummies were fakes. There was a big market for animal mummies as they were a popular sacrifice. Thus unscrupulous priests would often create mummies that contained only a few bones or feathers of the animal, or sometimes no animal parts at all.

Any museum with a good Egyptian collection will have at least some animal mummies. Museums that I've seen that have especially large collections include the British Museum (London), the National Museum (Cairo), the Louvre (Paris), the Royal Ontario Museum (Toronto), the Ashmolean (Oxford), and the Met (New York). Have you seen a good collection of these pickled pets? Tell us about it in the comments section!


Photo of cat mummy in the Louvre, Paris, courtesy Wikimedia Commons.

Gallery: Animal mummies of Ancient Egypt

It's just plain torture to put these cats next to a pair of fish for all eternity and not let them eat!Apis bull mummyKitty in the LouvreCrocodile mummy, Roemer- und Pelizaeus-Museum, Hildesheim, GermanySupplies for a catfish fry in the afterlife. Placed in a Middle Kingdom tomb, now at the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum, San Jose

Animal mummies discovered in Egypt originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 18 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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photo of the day
We at Gadling love street food. Whether it's from an upscale Manhattan cart or from a Chinese cannon, you'll find that some of the most satisfying and authentic local food doesn't come from a restaurant. Today's Photo of the Day by Flickr user micke77023 comes from Cairo, Egypt of a falafel man who seems to enjoy his product. You can almost smell the chickpea goodness emanating from his kitchen and tell that whatever he's cooking is bound to be tasty.

Send us pictures of your favorite street eats by uploading them to the Gadling Flickr pool for a future Photo of the Day.

Photo of the Day: Falafel, going fast originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ancient EgyptAncient Egypt never ceases to fascinate. Its elaborate religion, art, and ritual make it at once foreign and compelling. Now a new exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg, Florida, showcases some of the highlights of this unique culture.

Ancient Egypt--Art and Magic: Treasures of the Fondation Gandur pour l'Art brings to the public eye one of the greatest private collections of Ancient Egyptian art. These 100 choice pieces from the collection of Jean Claude Gandur of Geneva, Switzerland, include mummy cases, statues of pharaohs, papyrus texts, and precious jewels.

Each item emphasizes the skill of the ancient Egyptian artisans and their culture's deep connection to magic. Alongside the works of art are explanations of how magic played a part in every aspect of Egyptian society, and how these particular objects fit into that belief.

Some of the items have an interesting modern history too. One sarcophagus was owned by the late French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent.

It's rare for so many items from a private collection to go on display all together, so if you're passing through Florida, be sure to make it to this exhibition. The exhibition runs until April 29, 2012.

This photo shows the lid from a sarcophagus, made of gessoed and painted wood from either the 21st or 22nd dynasty (1080-720 BC), from the Collection of the Fondation Gandur pour l'Art.

Ancient Egypt--Art and Magic, opens at the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, Florida originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 19 Dec 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ancient artancient egyptancient egyptian religionancient historyAncientArtAncientEgyptAncientEgyptianReligionAncientHistoryarchaeologyArchaeologyNewsarcheologyArcheologyNewsartart historyart newsArtHistoryArtNewsEgyptEgyptian artEgyptianArtegyptology newsEgyptologyNewsFlorence and the MachineFlorenceAndTheMachinehistorymuseummuseum newsMuseumNewsmuseumsSt. Petersburg Floridast. petersburg timesSt.PetersburgFloridaSt.PetersburgTimesMon, 19 Dec 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New Book celebrates 10 years of the Tour d'Afrique]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/13/new-book-celebrates-10-years-of-the-tour-dafrique/http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/13/new-book-celebrates-10-years-of-the-tour-dafrique/http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/13/new-book-celebrates-10-years-of-the-tour-dafrique/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Tour d'Afrique celebrates ten yearsThe Tour d'Afrique is a legendary cycling event that runs from Cairo to Cape Town on an annual basis. Covering more than 7500 miles, and requiring four months to complete, the Tour is a popular "bucket list" item for adventure travelers and cyclists the world over. This year, the Tour d'Afrique commemorates its tenth anniversary, and to celebrate, the company behind the epic event has released a fantastic coffee table book entitled 10: Celebrating Ten Years of the Tour d'Afrique Bicycle Race and Expedition.

The book begins with a forward written by Tour founder Henry Gold. A decade ago, when he first pitched the idea of a bike ride across Africa, Gold was met with skepticism to say the least. Many thought that it simply wasn't possible for an event like this one to exist and he was regularly told he was crazy for even considering it. Ten year later, Gold has turned his idea into a yearly event, and his adventure travel company produces similar cycling tours in a host of other locations across the globe.

10 is filled with stories from the road, as riders share tales, quotes, and anecdotes of their own experiences from the Tour. For some, it was a life altering experience for others an adventure of a lifetime, but no one who has taken part in the journey has come away unchanged. Their words are likely to inspire readers to want to join Tour as well, and even if you haven't been on a bike in years, you may find yourself dreaming of pedaling under African skies. The book doesn't try to hide the challenges of the ride, which range from oppressive heat to unexpected downpours, not to mention ever changing road conditions, but the amazing beauty of Africa and the camaraderie that is formed amongst the riders, will have a universal appeal all the same.

If the words of the riders don't inspire you than perhaps the amazing photographs contained in this book will. 10 is a visual love letter to cycling, adventure travel, and most importantly, Africa itself. The 252 page volume is packed with breathtaking images that have been compiled over the past decade and capture the spirit of the Tour very well. Not only do those photos show the day-to-day experiences of the ride, but they also manage to convey a sense of wonder at the countries and environments that the riders pass through, as well as the people that live there.

If you have a cyclist or adventure traveler on your holiday shopping list, than this book is sure to be a hit. Just be warned, after reading it, they may feel compelled to join the ride themselves. Africa is most definitely calling.

New Book celebrates 10 years of the Tour d'Afrique originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 13 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure cyclingadventure traveladventure-travelAdventureCyclingAdventureTravelbook reviewBookReviewbookscairocape townCapeTowncyclingcycling toursCyclingTourstour dafriqueTourDafriqueTue, 13 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[10 unique modes of transportation around the world]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/11/11/10-unique-modes-of-transportation-around-the-world/http://www.gadling.com/2011/11/11/10-unique-modes-of-transportation-around-the-world/http://www.gadling.com/2011/11/11/10-unique-modes-of-transportation-around-the-world/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

chicken busCars, trains, buses, and planes aren't the only way to get around a country. From the Bamboo Train in Cambodia to the Rail Cart in the the Philippines to the Couch Bike in Canada, here are ten unique modes of transportation from around the world.

Chicken Bus
Guatemala, Central America

While variations of the chicken bus can be found in many different countries (this reminds me a lot of taking the tro-tro in Ghana, Africa), this vehicle is used not only to transport people but also livestock, hence the name. These U.S. school buses are very eye-catching as they are colorfully painted and decorated. When taking one expect cramped conditions, as chicken buses tend to be packed to capacity, and hectic driving at Nascar speeds.

Continue reading 10 unique modes of transportation around the world

10 unique modes of transportation around the world originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>budget travelBudgetTravelcamelchicken busChickenBuscouch bikeCouchBikedog sledDogSledeco friendly modes of transportationeco-tourismEcoFriendlyModesOfTransportationelephantfeaturedgreen travelGreenTravelrail cartRailCartreed boatReedBoatsled dogSledDogtobaggantro-trounique transportationUniqueTransportationunusual modes of transportationUnusualModesOfTransportationFri, 11 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Egyptologists get back to work despite continuing tensions]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/10/15/egyptologists-get-back-to-work-despite-continuing-tensions/http://www.gadling.com/2011/10/15/egyptologists-get-back-to-work-despite-continuing-tensions/http://www.gadling.com/2011/10/15/egyptologists-get-back-to-work-despite-continuing-tensions/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Egyptologists
Egypt has been in the news again this week with more tensions between the people and the army. What has received less coverage is the fact that Egyptologists are quietly resuming their work after an unwanted vacation. You can't keep a good Egyptologist down, and these folks are busy making discoveries and taking care of the country's fabulous monuments. Old projects are getting back into gear, and new excavations are starting up.

An international plan to protect the fabulous temples at Luxor from ground water has resumed operations. The water is eating away at the foundations of Luxor, Karnak, and other temples and the team hopes to divert it to a nearby reservoir.

Earlier this month, construction workers stumbled upon an ancient tomb with a hieroglyphic inscription in the suburbs of Cairo. An archaeological team hurried to the site and discovered it dated to the 26th Dynasty (c.685-525 BC).

A lot of looting happened after what the Egyptian press refers to as the "events in January". Luckily, some of it is being recovered. Egyptian Tourism and Antiquities Police recovered a painted limestone relief that had been stolen from a warehouse.

Some Egyptologists are making discoveries without even going to Egypt. Dr. Aidan Dodson of the University of Bristol, UK, walked into the Torquay Museum and realized a sarcophagus they had on display was an extremely rare one intended for royalty. Further investigation revealed that the child that had been buried with it was in fact 1,000 years younger than his casket. Elaborate coffins were expensive, so the grieving parents decided to save some money, dumped out the previous occupant, and put Junior inside.

Hopefully this field season will be a good one, and there'll be plenty of Egyptology news to talk about here on Gadling.

[Karnak photo courtesy Sean Ellis]

Egyptologists get back to work despite continuing tensions originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 15 Oct 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Egyptian Book of the Dead
After three years of careful study and restoration, an important version of the ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead has gone on display in the Brooklyn Museum.

The Book of the Dead was a collection of prayers, spells, and rituals to help the dead in the afterlife. The book has its roots in prehistoric times. As the civilization in Egypt developed, the prayers and spells became more elaborate. Eventually they were gathered together in chapters to create what we call the Book of the Dead. Individual chapters or sets of chapters were written on tombs, mummy cases, and rolls of papyrus. Many burials have portions of the book, one of the largest being the Papyrus of Ani, which you can view online.

The Brooklyn Museum example was for the tomb of Sobekmose, a gold worker. It's an early and long version, probably dating to the reign of Thutmose III or Amunhotep II (c. 1479-1400 BC). It's 25 feet long, written on both sides, and contains nearly half of the known Book of the Dead chapters.

Portions of this book have long been on display at the museum. This is the first time the entire book is on display.

[Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons]

Egyptian Book of the Dead on display at Brooklyn Museum originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In Asia, most luxury hotels have been fine-tuned to eliminate the prospect of unpredictability. Specific amenities aside, a given Ritz-Carlton or Shangri-La property is designed to feel the same from city to city. This ensures a consistent level of comfort for clients, but it rarely makes for distinctive travel memories.

The budget hotels of Asia, on the other hand, are charming precisely because you can't predict what kind of experiences await from destination to destination. Guidebooks might offer general information about prices and services, but it isn't until you encounter them first-hand (in the context of your own personal idiosyncrasies) that you get a sense for how these budget hotels can enhance your travel experience.

This in mind, here's my subjective guide to some of the cheapest, frumpiest hotels in the Orient:

Ngoc Linh Hotel, Kontum, Vietnam
$12 for a private room; $5 for a dorm room (tel: 84-60-864560)
The owner's daughter, a cute, almond-eyed child, is scared of you. Whenever you walk through the lobby, she bursts into tears. Though you have enough money for a private room, you elect to stay in the dorm. The only other occupant is a Japanese backpacker. He ties a beer can to the end of a shoelace and bangs it on the floor because he thinks there are rats under the beds. When you return for a second night, you notice that the maids have turned off the ceiling fan and stolen your bananas, but they did not bother to actually clean the room. That evening you notice that the owner's daughter is no longer scared of you. You also notice that she is eating a banana.

Continue reading A Subjective Guide to the Budget Hotels of the Orient

A Subjective Guide to the Budget Hotels of the Orient originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 19 Sep 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure-travelbudget-travelrolf pottsRolfPottsMon, 19 Sep 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Queen Hatshepsut and the case of the poison skin cream]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/08/21/queen-hatshepsut-and-the-case-of-the-poison-skin-cream/http://www.gadling.com/2011/08/21/queen-hatshepsut-and-the-case-of-the-poison-skin-cream/http://www.gadling.com/2011/08/21/queen-hatshepsut-and-the-case-of-the-poison-skin-cream/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

HatshepsutGerman archaeologists studying a skin cream once owned by Queen Hatshepsut have found evidence that the female pharaoh may have accidentally poisoned herself.

The tiny bottle, which has an inscription saying it was owned by Hatshepsut, was still partially filled with a substance that the archaeologists subjected to chemical analysis. It included nutmeg and palm oils, commonly used to soothe skin irritations. It also included benzopyrene, which smells nice but is highly carcinogenic. It's found in burnt substances such as pitch, coal tar, cigarette smoke, and burnt foods such as barbeque and coffee. Keep that in mind this Labor Day Weekend.

In contrast to the idealized statue of Hatshepsut shown here, her mummy revealed that she was obese, had liver cancer, and probably suffered from diabetes.

Hatshepsut's rule saw two decades of peace and ambitious trade expeditions as far as Puntland, which was probably in the modern unrecognized state of the same name. Her modern-looking temple at Deir el Bahri is one of Egypt´s most stunning attractions. You can reach it by bus, or if you're feeling adventurous you can take a mountain path from the Valley of the Kings, which leads you to a cliff overlooking the temple before sloping down past the tombs of its builders and to the temple itself. I did this one August, which is not the best time. That was probably as bad for my skin as Hatshepsut's skin cream.

[Photo courtesy Rob Koopman]

Queen Hatshepsut and the case of the poison skin cream originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 21 Aug 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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pyramids, pyramid
Around the world, ancient monuments are crumbling. As our heritage wears away through neglect, "development", or simply the harsh treatment of time, some countries are doing something about it.

The pyramid of Djoser, the oldest of the pyramids of Egypt, will be the object of a major restoration effort. The government recently announced that funding has been earmarked for restoration after the people previously working on the site put down their tools, saying they weren't getting paid. The money that's owed to the company would be paid and workers would be assured their salaries, said Mohammad Abdel-Maksoud, Egypt's new Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities. The famous Zahi Hawass was let go during the recent revolution. Hawass was briefly replaced by Abdel-Fattah al-Banna, but al-Banna quickly resigned amid criticisms of his lack of credentials.

The Djoser pyramid at Saqqara was constructed from 2667 to 2648 BC and is a step pyramid rather than a true pyramid. It now suffers from numerous structural problems and a crumbling facade.

In Tibet, the Chinese government is investing almost $9 million to restore monasteries and homes of the 10th century Guge Kingdom. Among the attractions in the ruins are some colorful Buddhist murals, caves, palaces, and pagodas. BBC News has an interesting video showing of the site here.

It's not all good news, though. Many treasures of the past are under threat. While Rome's Colosseum is being restored, several structures in Pompeii collapsed last year. In Red Rock Canyon, Nevada, volunteers and experts had to clean away graffiti sprayed on Native American rock art. In England the Priddy Circles, a collection of Neolithic earthworks from 5,000 years ago, were half destroyed when someone bulldozed them.

It's nice to see some governments working hard to maintain their monuments, but lack of funding and simple human stupidity are making their job difficult.

[Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons]

Pyramids and monasteries among the many ancient monuments under restoration originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 10 Aug 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ramadanToday begins the Islamic holiday of Ramadan, a month long period of prayer and reflection, fasting and sacrifice, as well as feasting and acts of charity and kindness.

Travelers should exercise extra patience and flexibility this month where Ramadan is celebrated, but enjoy the special atmosphere and festivities.

If traveling in a Muslim country during August, expect closures, a slower pace, and shorter tempers during the day, but lively iftar meals and celebrations at night.

Here in the largely secular city of Istanbul, foreigners and tourists won't encounter many problems, most restaurants and attractions will be open and travelers aren't expected to observe the fast, though it's polite to refrain from eating or drinking in public (read about last year's Ramadan in Istanbul here and in Cairo).

In the US, Whole Foods has become the first nationwide chain to offer promotions and special content for Ramadan. The grocery store's blog will share recipes and sponsor giveaways all month for the nearly 2 million American Muslims.

The TSA has just posted on their blog about what to expect in airports during Ramadan, though most of their tips are general for any time of year (you may encounter Muslims performing ablutions in airport bathrooms or hear prayers whispered) or information about what not to expect (i.e. eating or smoking).

Ramadan will end on August 29 this year, followed by a week of celebration when many Muslims travel to visit family or pilgrimage to Mecca.

Read more Gadling travel tips for Ramadan here. Traveling in the Muslim world this month? Share your experiences with us in the comments below.

[Photo courtesy balavenise, Wikimedia Commons]

Ramadan begins today: what travelers can expect originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 01 Aug 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ablutionsfastfastingfeastiftarislamislamicistanbulmeccamuslimpigrimagepilgrimageramadantraveltsaMon, 01 Aug 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ancient port discovered in Egypt]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/07/30/ancient-port-discovered-in-egypt/http://www.gadling.com/2011/07/30/ancient-port-discovered-in-egypt/http://www.gadling.com/2011/07/30/ancient-port-discovered-in-egypt/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Egypt
Archaeologists working in Egypt have discovered a harbor on the Red Sea that was used for international trade.

The excavation at Mersa Gawasis has revealed traces of an ancient harbor. It's long been known that the Egyptians traded down the coast of Africa, but the location of their embarkation was unknown. A famous carving at Deir el-Bahari, the temple of Queen Hatshepsut, shows an ocean-going vessel like the one pictured above and scenes a land with thatched huts and exotic items for sale such as ivory and giraffes. Inscriptions identify the land as Punt but don't mention where it is. Archaeologists have speculated that it was in the Horn of Africa, either in Eritrea or Djibouti, or where the modern unrecognized states of Somaliland or Puntland are today.

The first recorded voyages to Punt started in the reign of the Pharaoh Sahure, who ruled from 2487-2475 BC. Regular trading missions were sent out for centuries to buy exotic items for Egypt's elite. Queen Hatshepsut's famous engravings of Punt date to around 1490-1460 BC.

Scholars have traditionally been doubtful of the Egyptians' ability to make long sea voyages. Further excavation at Mersa Gawasis may change this view and open up new possibilities for Egyptian influence on other ancient cultures. While the excavations at Mersa Gawasis are not yet open to public view, Deir el-Bahari is a popular attraction and you can wonder at the scenes depicting the mysterious land of Punt for yourself.

[Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons]

Ancient port discovered in Egypt originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 30 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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mummies, mummy
Mummies are endlessly fascinating. To see a centuries-old body so well preserved brings the past vividly to life. While Egyptian mummies get most of the press, bodies in many regions were mummified by natural processes after being deposited in peat bogs or very dry caves.

Mummies of the World is a state-of-the-art exhibition bringing together 150 mummies and related artifacts. It opened last weekend at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia after successful runs in L.A. and Milwaukee. Visitors will see mummified people and animals from all over the world and learn how they came to be so well preserved.

Besides the required collection of ancient Egyptians, there are numerous mummies from other regions, such as this prehistoric man from the Atacama Desert in Chile.

Gallery: Mummies of the world

Egyptian mummy headThe Detmold childBaron vol HolzTatooed woman from Chile, before 1400 ADMichael Orlovits

Continue reading Mummies of the World exhibition opens in Philadelphia

Mummies of the World exhibition opens in Philadelphia originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 21 Jun 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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