Daniel and Archaeology

[Sparki101]

As an Archaeology student myself, I was wondering about Daniel's life before SGC. Did we ever find out which excavations he went on or what work he was involved in apart from any info from The Curse?
:confused:
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Okay, I am trying to write an archaeology paper and I need some inspiration. :D :rolleyes:

[Bacardi]

watch some of the osiris/sarah gardner eps again, in most of those his previous work is mentioned.. i cant remember specifics but i know in Chimera he's starts by dreaming about wen he was working out what a specific artifact's role was, that'll give u a general idea of the period he was working n at the time he met sarah..

[Mr Prophet]

watch some of the osiris/sarah gardner eps again, in most of those his previous work is mentioned.. i cant remember specifics but i know in Chimera he's starts by dreaming about wen he was working out what a specific artifact's role was, that'll give u a general idea of the period he was working n at the time he met sarah..

The Egyptian Period! Specifically the 'stuff with gold and hieroglyphs' kingdom.

Seriously though; since his focus was on the age of the Pyramids, he was probably working in the study of the Old Kingdom and/or the pre-Dynastic period: No studying the Valley of the Kings or Aketaten for our Daniel. He probably wasn't digging much in that case - since the Egyptian antiquities ombudsman doesn't take kindly to that kind of theorising - but could well have offered out some sound work before going way off the wall.

Actually, what impressed me about the movie was how sober his original theories were. Especially when they asked who did build the pyramids and he says: "I don't know." So much more exciting for an archaeologist to hear that.

[Anubis]

If you've seen the Stargate movie, his life before the Stargate program seems to be dull. Or perhaps thats just what I thought. Since he stayed on Abydos and returned to Earth he felt that he was "a part of something". Quote from season sevens "Homecoming"

[Mr Prophet]

If you've seen the Stargate movie, his life before the Stargate program seems to be dull. Or perhaps thats just what I thought. Since he stayed on Abydos and returned to Earth he felt that he was "a part of something". Quote from season sevens "Homecoming"

I'd guess that his life kind of emptied out as he drifted away from the archaeological mainstream. Since he has a real passion for his subject, it must have been a real kick in the head to see his work being taken away from him: No digs because the Head of Antiquities wouldn't let him near a tomb or a temple; no research grants; no support from his colleagues.

[Bacardi]

The Egyptian Period! Specifically the 'stuff with gold and hieroglyphs' kingdom.


*cough cough* oh no we have a comedian on the premises...alert security

:P we all know that bit, i was talking about more specific periods ancient egyptptian history. such as pre-dynastic etc..

mayb he wasnt doing much digging at that time, but he is definately comfortable with getting his hands dirty and identifying sites of archaological interest in their natural locatoin.

[Sparki101]

I'd guess that his life kind of emptied out as he drifted away from the archaeological mainstream. Since he has a real passion for his subject, it must have been a real kick in the head to see his work being taken away from him: No digs because the Head of Antiquities wouldn't let him near a tomb or a temple; no research grants; no support from his colleagues.

:eek: No Digs. :eek: Research grants are a beast :(

[Mr Prophet]

:P we all know that bit, i was talking about more specific periods ancient egyptptian history. such as pre-dynastic etc..

mayb he wasnt doing much digging at that time, but he is definately comfortable with getting his hands dirty and identifying sites of archaological interest in their natural locatoin.

Well, I'm not sure Stargate makes that much distinction, but I did suggest a few periods.

As I said above, he was probably not working much at the end, but Crystal Skull and The Curse suggest that he had a pretty glowing career before he began to obsess about the age of the pyramids. He was probably on a fair few digs with Professor Wassname and his fellow RAs; maybe he even directed some less important excavations and I'd say he definitely supervised some students in his time as a postgraduate and post-doc researcher.

Then he got this thing into his system. Maybe he found an anomolous text or inexplicable stela. Anyway, he published a paper that didn't go down so well; that was his official warning. The Prof probably told him to leave it, but that didn't sit with the idealist in Daniel: He didn't want to sit on what he believed to be the truth. So, he distanced himself form his mentor, ignored everyone's advice and set out to establish that the Great Pyramids pre-date the Old-Kingdom.

As happens when you go up against the man for truth - rather than selling a cheesy version of your theories on the cult fringe - he was pulled down and destroyed. Couldn't get peer reviewed so he couldn't get published, so even if he had good results, no-one wanted to hear. The established archaeologists would have rallied to their own banners and shouted him down at any lecture he gave.

It's a vicious, dirty game, archaeology. Academia is not for the faint-hearted.

This brings our hero to the beginning of the movie. Disillusioned, destitute and miserable, with nothing to his name but a few old papers, two suitcases and a pretty face.

[Sparki101]

*cough cough* oh no we have a comedian on the premises...alert security

:P we all know that bit, i was talking about more specific periods ancient egyptptian history. such as pre-dynastic etc..

mayb he wasnt doing much digging at that time, but he is definately comfortable with getting his hands dirty and identifying sites of archaological interest in their natural locatoin.

Yup. I have a classmate who is just like Daniel. It's scary. He points at a pretty artefact and goes
" Oo.Oo.Oo." ;)
but he knows his stuff.

[Sparki101]

*cough cough* oh no we have a comedian on the premises...alert security

:P we all know that bit, i was talking about more specific periods ancient egyptptian history. such as pre-dynastic etc..

mayb he wasnt doing much digging at that time, but he is definately comfortable with getting his hands dirty and identifying sites of archaological interest in their natural locatoin.

Yup. I have a classmate who is just like Daniel. It's scary. He points at a pretty artefact and goes
" Oo!Oo!Oo!" ;)
He'll even do a dance, if pushed, but he knows his stuff.

[Madeleine]

I have a feeling he said, in Brief Candle, that he'd been on a dig in Mexico. He had written about 'cross-pollenization of ancient cultures' (says so in Hathor) so it makes sense to assume that he had studied a few cultures other than Egyptian, Middle-Eastern or North & East African ones.

[Sparki101]

Wow. I have alot to live up to. :S
I was lucky enough to go to Egypt this year on a dig. I even went to Abydos. I think there's a place called Naqada as well. :)

[Mr Prophet]

I have a feeling he said, in Brief Candle, that he'd been on a dig in Mexico. He had written about 'cross-pollenization of ancient cultures' (says so in Hathor) so it makes sense to assume that he had studied a few cultures other than Egyptian, Middle-Eastern or North & East African ones.

Well, you tend to have generalise in an archaeology degree. You specialise once you're a postgrad. Of course, Mr. Two Doctorates and Thirty Languages is presumably something of a prodigal polymath anyway.

[Atum]

The archaeological aspect of the show is my favorite part. I wish more was done with this idea.

[Margaret]

I have a feeling he said, in Brief Candle, that he'd been on a dig in Mexico.

Yes, I'll confirm that: In Brief Candle he says he was on a dig in the Yucatan. (It's supposedly where he learned to deliver babies.)

[Margaret]

So -- what do you have to write on?

Any particular reason you're looking to Stargate for inspiration?

[Sparki101]

So -- what do you have to write on?

Any particular reason you're looking to Stargate for inspiration?

GIS in the Egyptian Antiquities Authority: It's implementation in Archaeological Management of Sites, Surveys and Excavations and Abydos in the Egyptian Predynastic. :S

Now try saying that 10 times really, really fast ;)

I was wondering if Daniel had done the same thing as I had done. It gives me inspiration to do the paper when I think of all the things I could be doing once I've got my degree.

[Genghis Bong]

ouch

[Sparki101]

Damn Straight! ;)

[Margaret]

OK, what do you think about the line in Evolution 2 where the rebel captain accuses Daniel of stealing artifacts?

[Margaret]

Come to think of it, the stargate was discovered in Giza in 1928.

Is there some treaty covering ancient artifacts that would require the United States to return it?

And if someone were to argue that *that* stargate was destroyed, shouldn't the United States give the Egyptians the replacement model?

[Sparki101]

Yes, there is a protection clause that states that artefacts should be returned to their home countries, particularly if the artefact is of a religious nature or if they are human remains. In the real world, this is often ignored, particularly if it is a richer country that has 'stolen' the artefact. The less developed country are often paid to shut up about it or are 'encouraged' to sign a lease which allows the artefact to stay where it is.

If an artefact needs to be treated and specially stored or cleaned, then it should go to the place that is best qualified for the job.

With regards to the Stargate, I have no idea. I found it strange that in the movie, there was hundreds of people around watching the excavation of the Stargate, but years later no one noticed that it had disapeared. Surely something that big and so different to anything else previously uncovered, someone would be curious to it's whereabouts.

You find that people won't settle for a second hand replacement, if it is a ritual artefact then they'll want the original. Egypt cannot claim it as a ritual item as there are no artistic representations or writings that show it as such. Heck, it wasn't even mentioned that there was a Stargate apart from it's coverstones. At the time, they did not know what it was and there are no modern day versions of it used in ritual or religion. Egypt cannot technically ask for it back and expect it to be rightfully returned as it not a ritual item.
Personally, I think it would be a bad idea for the US to give Egypt a replacement stargate. A breach of secuity and therefore the fate of the world is more important than any archaeological find. In cannon, Egypt has not asked for the Stargate back, so I imagine that the US see no reason to give them one.

With regard to Evoloution 2, I imagine the rebel leader was more intrested in what the device did and how much money it was worth than it's archaeological importance. ALOT of money can be made if the find is worth it. When accusing him of stealing, I think his anger was more directed at the US in general for stealing stuff.
I don't know if they could actually claim that Daniel stole it. I can't remember if Daniel had GPS with him. If he did, there would be no excuse to wander over the border and Daniel would be a thief. If Daniel was stealing it illegally, than how come their government could keep track of him and give his last known posistion? But then I doubt the rebel leader knew that. In his eyes, Daniel was a thief.

[Sparki101]

Thanks for your questions Margret, it's been interesting to answer them.

It would be nice to see Daniel torn up about not being allowed to give a ritual artefact back to it's people or even not allowed to explain why. It would also be interesting to see if Egypt did claim back the stargate as although they cannot expect to get it back, they are legally entitled to all information discovered about it.

[Mr Prophet]

Thanks for your questions Margret, it's been interesting to answer them.

It would be nice to see Daniel torn up about not being allowed to give a ritual artefact back to it's people or even not allowed to explain why. It would also be interesting to see if Egypt did claim back the stargate as although they cannot expect to get it back, they are legally entitled to all information discovered about it.

Of course, it's not technically Egyptian. Also, the Giza Gate was not destroyed; the Antarctic Gate was. The Giza Gate is alive and well, which means that the Egyptian antiquities guys will have a claim (as they did on the Stewart finds in The Curse).

Now, the use of the Antarctic Gate is an even bigger issue, since Antarctica is international territory. I'm pretty sure no one nation - and especially not any one nation's military - is supposed to sneak off artefacts. Of course, there probably aren't hard and fast rules as no-one expects to find many artefacts in the Antarctic, but there are rules regarding scientific collaboration and research, I'm sure.

[MagnoliaAnaglypta]

OK, what do you think about the line in Evolution 2 where the rebel captain accuses Daniel of stealing artifacts?

Well, I think that there is a sensible refutation to be made against that accusation, but sitting tied to a chair in a hut facing a hyper-excitable government rebel probably wasn't the time or place to make it1

The obvious answer would be that it wasn't theft, that Drs Jackson and Lee were operating with the knowledge and tacit approval of the local government who presumably recognised that an artifact of such a highly specialised nature (even if they hadn't been told precisely what it was...) would need very specialised investigation, probably with the aid of very specialised tools. And that the Nicaraguan government in all likelihood recognised that they had neither the resources nor the expertise to do this. That they possibly operated with some expectation that they would reap a financial consideration from the American Government in due course for allowing the Americans to display the artifact in one of their large museums.

[Sparki101]

Now, the use of the Antarctic Gate is an even bigger issue, since Antarctica is international territory. I'm pretty sure no one nation - and especially not any one nation's military - is supposed to sneak off artefacts. Of course, there probably aren't hard and fast rules as no-one expects to find many artefacts in the Antarctic, but there are rules regarding scientific collaboration and research, I'm sure.

You must share information and scientific collaboration on human remains and ritual items. The Stargate is not classed as either of these two. Now you claimed the gate was not techically egyptian, and if proved, Egypt is entitled to nothing. Why did you say it's not technically Egyptian?
No one is supposed to sneak of artefacts anywhere, but there is not much you can do about it. The artefacts are usually, if made of precious metals melted down, and sold very quickly. There are alot more apparently important things to track down than artefacts. Unless extremely valuable, then no one will give you any of their time. The US cannot claim the stargate as very valuable object without causing rise to suspision.

whoops sorry wrong quote. I meant to post your first sentance

[Sparki101]

[QUOTE=MagnoliaAnaglypta And that the Nicaraguan government in all likelihood recognised that they had neither the resources nor the expertise to do this. That they possibly operated with some expectation that they would reap a financial consideration from the American Government in due course for allowing the Americans to display the artifact in one of their large museums.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, that sounds like it.

[Sparki101]

Now, the use of the Antarctic Gate is an even bigger issue, since Antarctica is international territory. I'm pretty sure no one nation - and especially not any one nation's military - is supposed to sneak off artefacts. Of course, there probably aren't hard and fast rules as no-one expects to find many artefacts in the Antarctic, but there are rules regarding scientific collaboration and research, I'm sure.

The nation that 'stole' the artefact in that case must share any information with the nations that it shares the territory with. This is for all artefacts, not just human remains or ritual items.
hehe. I have just found a plot hole. * strikes through four lines on the wall to make five*

With regards to finding a Stargate in Antartica, I'm unsure. I don't think there has ever been an archaeolgical find that top secret. I should think then the issue of national security overules any claim to share information. But the US would have a helluva job not to A) get caught with an artefact that big and B)explain why they can't share the stargate or any information that comes with it..

[Mr Prophet]

The nation that 'stole' the artefact in that case must share any information with the nations that it shares the territory with. This is for all artefacts, not just human remains or ritual items.
hehe. I have just found a plot hole. * strikes through four lines on the wall to make five*

That's not a plot hole. That no-one complained in Disclosure might be, but that's another story.


With regards to finding a Stargate in Antartica, I'm unsure. I don't think there has ever been an archaeolgical find that top secret. I should think then the issue of national security overules any claim to share information. But the US would have a helluva job not to A) get caught with an artefact that big and B)explain why they can't share the stargate or any information that comes with it..

Well, they presumably pitched it as a rescue mission out of McMurdo, so they could have claimed to be reclaiming their crashed plane/ice-locked ship. When they come out in the public domain, that little titbit will be a thorn, but let's remember that there's no evidence anymore; the Antarctic Gate exploded somewhere in the vicinity of Venus.

[Mr Prophet]

Now you claimed the gate was not techically egyptian, and if proved, Egypt is entitled to nothing. Why did you say it's not technically Egyptian?

Well, technically and documentably it was the creation of an ancient - in fact, the Ancient - alien race, and therefore belongs to the world (ho-ho). I only cited this in a sarcastic fashion as a possible rebuttal by the US govmint; presumably accompanied by a tacit invitation for Egypt to come and have a go if they think they're hard enough.

Actually, thinking of rivalries and alternate claims, I'm surprised the Army and the Navy have never tried to get in on the act. The Marines get a team, why not the USN?

[Lugal]

Come to think of it, the stargate was discovered in Giza in 1928.

Is there some treaty covering ancient artifacts that would require the United States to return it?

And if someone were to argue that *that* stargate was destroyed, shouldn't the United States give the Egyptians the replacement model?

I think Egyptian Law was changed after finding Tut's tomb that no treasure could leave the country although I don't know if they would consider a big metal ring to be a treasure. They could have claimed it was lost or destroyed in WWII. The Germans found the DHD and that was taken by the Russians, which was probably listed as lost or destroyed.

[Champos]

<< Yes, there is a protection clause that states that artefacts should be returned to their home countries, particularly if the artefact is of a religious nature or if they are human remains. In the real world, this is often ignored, particularly if it is a richer country that has 'stolen' the artefact. The less developed country are often paid to shut up about it or are 'encouraged' to sign a lease which allows the artefact to stay where it is. >>

It's like the UK with the Elgin Marbles - which you're not getting back by the way (to any Greeks who happen to read this)! We stole them fair and square! You could also say the same about the so-called Cleopatra's Needles in London and Washington and possibly Paris (not sure about that one). I say we all just let by-gones be by-gones - we'll promise not to steal any more provided they stop complaining about the ones we've already stolen.

[Coz]

According to 2001, he spent some time in Wales on a dig and can presumably read Ancient Celtic so he gets around a bit! Mind out of the gutter people!! :)

[Iskandra]

According to 2001, he spent some time in Wales on a dig and can presumably read Ancient Celtic so he gets around a bit! Mind out of the gutter people!! :)

Loved that weird connection - I spenat a year in Wales 1999-2000 and worked...at an Egyptian museum! I also learned Welsh (the Celtic language) - and the Ancient sort of Welsh doesn't look anything like what Daniel found in the newspaper in "2001" - booh! Hiss! :D

@Sparki101: Cool to have some more people around here who reall DO archaeology - I'm a linguist and Egyptologist postgrad. There is indeed a place called Naqada, it's where some of the earliest predynastic stuff has been found and it's used for dating pots ;) - I always thought it funny that the village on Abydos was called Nagada in SG, and the quartz stuff Naquada...the q and g are interchangeable in Egyptian Arabic depending on where you come from...ooops, I'm drifting off...

@Mr Prophet: You sound like you know the head of the Antiquities Service in Egypt :D When Daniel was probably excavating in Egypt, if he's ever done that, they still had someone else there, not today's Mr. H.

[Mr Prophet]

@Mr Prophet: You sound like you know the head of the Antiquities Service in Egypt :D When Daniel was probably excavating in Egypt, if he's ever done that, they still had someone else there, not today's Mr. H.

Not personally, but one of my housemates is doing a PhD in archaeology. I haven't studied Egypt properly since my undergraduacy under Barry Kemp; I'm just an interested amateur now.

[Iskandra]

@Mr Prophet: Whoah! Barry Kemp! I would have liked that....you probably did a lot of Amarna stuff then, right?

Ah....maybe I should stop switching into Daniel geek mode whenever someone mentions Egypt.... *blush* :o

[epiphany]

I'd guess that his life kind of emptied out as he drifted away from the archaeological mainstream. Since he has a real passion for his subject, it must have been a real kick in the head to see his work being taken away from him: No digs because the Head of Antiquities wouldn't let him near a tomb or a temple; no research grants; no support from his colleagues.

Especially when his work is all he had. He had no family to speak of. He probably had few if any real friends--colleagues, acquaintances but real friends who would just be there for HIM? Probably not. His work was everything and it was gone too, or at least a way for him to really continue working on what drove him. I'm sure it wouldn't have been too hard for Mr. 23+ Languages to land himself a job translating something somewhere--just sort of existing.

[Mr Prophet]

Especially when his work is all he had. He had no family to speak of. He probably had few if any real friends--colleagues, acquaintances but real friends who would just be there for HIM? Probably not. His work was everything and it was gone too, or at least a way for him to really continue working on what drove him. I'm sure it wouldn't have been too hard for Mr. 23+ Languages to land himself a job translating something somewhere--just sort of existing.

I think in the novelisation of the movie he was dating the girl from the petrol station kiosk...

And yes, Iskandra, there was a fair bit of Armana in the course (surprisingly). He's a rum cove, Mr Kemp; knows his stuff but doesn't have a lot of time for students. He's supervising my friend Henrie on her PhD at the moment; apparently trying to organise a supervision is an adventure in itself.

[priornavalperson]

Well, technically and documentably it was the creation of an ancient - in fact, the Ancient - alien race, and therefore belongs to the world (ho-ho). I only cited this in a sarcastic fashion as a possible rebuttal by the US govmint; presumably accompanied by a tacit invitation for Egypt to come and have a go if they think they're hard enough.

Actually, thinking of rivalries and alternate claims, I'm surprised the Army and the Navy have never tried to get in on the act. The Marines get a team, why not the USN?The Marines are part of the Department of the Navy. In addition to their other tasks, they provide security for Naval Stations and warships. When I served in the Navy aboard USS Fox in the mid to late 60's, we always had Marines on board to guard the top secret communications room whenever we carried CTs. So, although there are intra-service rivalries between Sailors and Marines, there is no inter-service rivalry. So if the Marines are involved, the Navy Department is involved.

Of course, the Navy is much more experienced in running Cruisers and Battleships than the Airforce. After all, we don't expect to come home after a few horus of operation.:D Prometheus should really be cammanding by a Navy Captain, and should be the flagship for a Flag Officer rather then a General Officer.:p

[Sparki101]

@Sparki101: Cool to have some more people around here who reall DO archaeology .
:cool:


Yup. I *heart* archaeology. My course is more archaeological practice than theory, so we go on alot more excavtions and do more practical stuff.

Sparki * In her really cool, super-duper archaeological shades. Rather like Jack's.......but better*

[Hatusu]

This brings our hero to the beginning of the movie. Disillusioned, destitute and miserable, with nothing to his name but a few old papers, two suitcases and a pretty face.
Poetic!

[Sparki101]

Loved that weird connection - I spenat a year in Wales 1999-2000 and worked...at an Egyptian museum! I also learned Welsh (the Celtic language) - and the Ancient sort of Welsh doesn't look anything like what Daniel found in the newspaper in "2001" - booh! Hiss! :D

.

:eek: Where? I'm at Lampeter University, is the museum anywhere near there?

[Hatusu]

I knew there were archeologists and Egyptologists around here! Hi Iskandra.

When I was in Egypt, I found the Egyptian people to be strangely separated from their ancient heritage. I don't really think they thought of themselves as decendant from the ancient Egyptians. I know new groups, and religions moved in, but if I had that great heritage, I'd be proud!

I personally wanted that mosque moved out of the middle of the Temple at Karnak. I also wanted the limestone that was stripped from the pyramids returned. Napolean annoyed me because he took so much stuff, but he also dug Karnak and The Sphinx out of the sand, and his scientists found the Rosetta stone (Egyptologists, please correct me if I'm in error).

Back to fiction. I think the Stargate was removed before the law was created, but it would make an interesting plot twist if the Egyptian government found out about it! And they should in the eighth season.

[Sparki101]

I personally wanted that mosque moved out of the middle of the Temple at Karnak. .

Theres a MacDonalds behind the temple of Luxor :(

[Sparki101]

Did any of you go to the Cairo museum? Our group only had a couple of hours in there but that was really quite something.
We also went to Giza(of course) Luxor,Saqqara, Karnak, Edfu,Thebes, Memphis, Abydos, the mortuary temple of Hapshepsut, the Elephantine Island, Valley of the Kings and Alexandria (which was my personal favourite). I wanted to go to Abel-Simbal but we didn't have enought time.

[Hatusu]

Did any of you go to the Cairo museum? Our group only had a couple of hours in there but that was really quite something.
We also went to Giza(of course) Luxor,Saqqara, Karnak, Edfu,Thebes, Memphis, Abydos, the mortuary temple of Hapshepsut, the Elephantine Island, Valley of the Kings and Alexandria (which was my personal favourite). I wanted to go to Abel-Simbal but we didn't have enought time.
I was lucky enough to do all that, except Hapshepsut's temple (from where I got my name). Abel-Simbel is a must next time. And drive, don't fly. I saw rows of what I think were small pyramids in the desert, along the way. Can anyone confirm that?

I sailed on the Nile, passing farms and ancient temples on a Felucca (sail boat). I rode a donkey named Bah, to the valley of the Kings, and an Arabian horse, named Princess, at sunset by the pyramids at Giza. It can't get better than that, ...oh, except for the waiter in Aswan who danced with my birthday cake on his head! ;) Great trip. I want to go back!

[Mr Prophet]

Loved that weird connection - I spenat a year in Wales 1999-2000 and worked...at an Egyptian museum! I also learned Welsh (the Celtic language) - and the Ancient sort of Welsh doesn't look anything like what Daniel found in the newspaper in "2001" - booh! Hiss! :D

I just realised: This must be how he got the job at the SGC; through the Welsh connection! (Because as everyone knows, the Welsh run the SGC).

[Sparki101]

I saw rows of what I think were small pyramids in the desert, along the way. Can anyone confirm that?

I sailed on the Nile, passing farms and ancient temples on a Felucca (sail boat). I rode a donkey named Bah, to the valley of the Kings, and an Arabian horse, named Princess, at sunset by the pyramids at Giza. It can't get better than that, ...oh, except for the waiter in Aswan who danced with my birthday cake on his head! ;) Great trip. I want to go back!

The pyramids (which are theorised burial chambers) that you saw would only be pyramids if they are on the west side of the Nile. Mortuary sites are always on the west bank of the river because the sun sets in the west (death) and rises in the east(resurrection). That's why normal non-morturary temples and palaces are on the east of the nile. All temples are set on an east-west axis so that the sanctuary catches the rising and the setting sun.
(:rolleyes: guess who's cramming for her exams?)

We went on a cruise from the Elephantine Is. to Abydos, then caught a flight to Cairo for the rest of our stay. We also went Bubastis (Bast) and Philae(sp?)(Isis)

Can't say I can top the birthday cake, but I went on a camel at Giza (NEVER AGAIN :S ) and I also went on a Felucca. Did you try that Egyptian version of iced tea? Can't remember the name but it's made from lotus flower. Tastes suspiciously like ribena, but very refreshing.

[Iskandra]

@Sparki101: The drink is called karkadeh, and I always bring a kilo of the hibiscus flowers home when I go to Egypt....it's delicious! I've been to Lampeter University, one of my friends studied there. I was at Swansea, and the Museum is at the Uni of Swansea, it's called the Egypt Centre. You can always take the coach to get there...and it's free! ;) (the museum, not the coach...)

I've seen a lot in Egypt, though not Abu Simbel, and I can't remeber any pyramids between Aswan and Abu Simbel - they're all located further north or further south in what was ancient Kush (Nubia) and is today's Sudan.

My special Egyptian friend Hassan, who has a little shop in Luxor and is the worst shopkeeper I've ever seen (he actually TELLS people which of his stuff is not "real granite" but plastic....) does have a connection to the past of his country, and I know a few more who do, but as religion today is just completely different from pharaonic times, most people just can't connect to that past emotionally. But there are books about pharaonic "survivals" in popular beliefs, so it's not all gone...

[Bomber]

I just realised: This must be how he got the job at the SGC; through the Welsh connection! (Because as everyone knows, the Welsh run the SGC).

Cymru Am Byth!