There are many theories suggesting that ancient Egyptians had the ability to generate electricity and illuminate light bulbs. However, is this merely a theory, or is there some truth to it?
According to modern science, electricity was only discovered in the 1700s by Benjamin Franklin. Nevertheless, there is substantial evidence indicating the use of artificial light in ancient Egypt. Numerous carvings recovered from ancient Egyptian temples show that the ancients could have utilized electricity to produce light.
For instance, the reliefs recovered from the southern temple of Hathor depict the use of electric light in ancient Egypt. These carvings were also found at the Dendera Temple, dating back to around 50 BC.
There are also environmental clues suggesting that the Egyptians may have uncovered the secrets of artificial light. Throughout the ruins of Egypt, there are very few traces of soot on the ceilings of ancient temples and tombs – signs of torches and fire being used for illumination.
This suggests that there must have been some other form of light utilized in ancient Egypt. We know that the Egyptians were masters of construction, and some of their designs continue to challenge modern understanding.
The Dendera Light!
Egypt was an advanced civilization in its time, and it’s possible they used “advanced technology” in their daily lives – knowledge that has since been forgotten. However, the energy source powering these “technologies” may not have accurately been electricity.
The Dendera Light is a motif carved as a stone relief in the Hathor Temple at Dendera in Egypt, resembling modern electric lighting devices. An offbeat hypothesis suggests that the Dendera Light depicts advanced electrical technology possessed by ancient Egyptians. Contrary to mainstream interpretations, a fringe theory proposes that the reliefs illustrate ancient Egyptian electrical technology, based on comparisons with similar modern devices (like Geissler tubes, Crookes tubes, and arc lamps).
The reliefs depict various scenes in the temple, and one specific scene illustrates what is now referred to as “The Dendera Light”, featuring the serpent god Harsomtus.
The deity is also depicted as being enveloped in magical energy. The outer structure of the light is referred to as a magical bubble – described as being supported by men of varying sizes. The male figures are portrayed wearing loincloths with a solar disk around their heads.
Many have attempted to decode these artifacts, and over time, numerous individuals have come to believe that the carvings depict the use of incandescent light bulbs. The wire surrounding the magical bubble could represent an electrical wire. The magical bubble around the serpent may symbolize a light bulb, with the serpent itself possibly representing the filament of the bulb.
However, this belief is regarded by many as unrealistic and unlikely to be true. Still, there are other, more reasonable explanations for what is depicted in the carvings at Dendera. However, these are not reliable scientific conclusions, and the fact remains that the descriptions on the reliefs closely resemble modern light bulbs.
Ancient Light Sources!
The light source that ancient Egyptians likely used for interior decoration was oil lamps.
Recent archaeological discoveries have led scientists to understand that the light source ancient Egyptians used for interior decoration was likely oil lamps. Oil lamps burn very cleanly and leave no soot behind. This could explain the absence of soot on the ceilings.
This indicates that the Egyptians had a profound understanding of the resources they possessed. While electric light may not have been used for illumination in Egypt, they certainly employed some remarkable decorative and lighting techniques.
Moreover, if the temple did use electric light, there would be some historical evidence of this. The use of electric light for illumination would require mineral mining to create bulb filaments.
However, there are no signs of any such mines in Egypt from ancient times that were used for that purpose. Additionally, ancient Egyptian monuments show no traces of storage facilities or workshops for producing light bulbs. There are also no indications of power plants capable of generating electricity.
Ancient Egyptians may have used sunlight and mirrors at some point in history to illuminate the interiors of tombs. Furthermore, there is no evidence of any remnants of bulbs in archaeological studies of ancient Egypt. Therefore, it is unlikely that ancient Egyptians used electricity and light bulbs for illumination.
While there is no evidence of electric lighting in that historical period, it is certain that there was large-scale use of oil lamps by the Egyptians.
