The "helicopter", and the real hieroglyphs of Seti I and Ramesses II

The helicopter hieroglyphs is a name given to part of an Egyptian hieroglyph carving from the Temple of Seti I at Abydos. It is a palimpsest relief with two overlapping inscriptions, the titles of Ramesses II superimposed on those of his predecessor Seti I. They have been wrongly interpreted as an out-of-place artifact depicting a helicopter and other examples of advanced technology, in pseudo-scientific ancient astronaut circles.[1]

The "helicopter", a product of pareidolia,[2] is made up of a bow hieroglyph of Seti I, and two arm hieroglyphs of Ramesses II.[3]

Translation

The initial carving was made during the reign of Seti I (c. 1294–1279 BC) and translates to:[3]

Powerful of scimitar, who suppresses the nine bows (enemies of Egypt), [...], Menmaatra (throne name of Seti I)

Ramesses II (c. 1279–1213 BC), Seti's successor, had the hieroglyphs filled in with plaster and re-carved the inscription to:[3]

Two Ladies: protector of Egypt, who repels foreign lands, [...], Usermaatra-Setepenre (throne name of Ramesses II)

Over time, the plaster has eroded away, leaving both inscriptions partially visible, creating a palimpsest-like effect of overlapping hieroglyphs.[4]

The hieroglyphs on an architrave in the Temple of Seti I at Abydos (read from right to left). The names of Seti I and Ramesses II are overlaid in the same cartouche.

See also

Sources

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Helicopter hieroglyphs (Temple of Seti I in Abydos).
  1. ^ Brand 2023, p. 82-84.
  2. ^ Brand 2023, p. 108.
  3. ^ a b c Brand 2023, p. 84.
  4. ^ "The Abydos temple "helicopter"". Archived from the original on 28 July 2005.

Further reading

External links

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