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Author Topic: Ancient Egypt 39,000 BCE: The History, Technology, and Philosophy of Civilization X  (Read 3209 times)

RandallS

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Title: Ancient Egypt 39,000 BCE: The History, Technology, and Philosophy of Civilization X
Author(s): Edward F. Malkowski
Published 2010 by Bear & Company
ISBN: 1591431093
ISBN-13: 978-1591431091
Paperback, 336 pages
List: $24.00
View this Book on Amazon

Reviewer: Mike Gleason

When it comes to the study of ancient history, and its close relative - archeology - discoveries come slowly, and opinions change even more slowly.  In the field of Egyptology, there are certain accepted beliefs.  The lack of concrete evidence is not a detriment to these beliefs, nor should it be.

However, when new ideas are proposed (such as the existence of a "Civilization X" which preceded the beginnings of Egyptian history), they are held to a higher evidentiary standard, simply because they challenge the accepted views.  In my opinion (and I freely admit that I am NOT an archaeologist, an Egyptologist, nor a physical scientist) fair is fair.  New ideas should certainly be challenged, but they should not be required to provide more than a testable hypothesis.  As one of my favorite authors (Robert A. Heinlein) said in one of his novels "If 'everybody knows' such-and-such, then it ain't so, by at least ten thousand to one."  The ideas in this book (and others proposing the existence of a "Civilization X") deserve a fair and impartial hearing.

While it is quite possible for there to be alternative explanations for many of the artifacts and stories contained within the covers of this book, Mr. Malkowski approaches his explanations with a calm, reasoned approach.  Where orthodox scientists reject myth and fable as being simply religious expressions, he accepts the possibility that they may be more.

Has he proven the existence of "Civilization X"?  Not by a long shot, nor is anyone likely to be able to prove it to orthodox scientists and the average citizen.  Why is this so?  Because there is an inertia which resists change and assumes that the progress of evolution and civilization is linear, and won't accept the concept that civilizations could disappear without a trace.

Physical artifacts, without an accompanying understandable commentary, are always open to interpretation.  Interpretation may, or may not, be accurate.  As an example, on page 262, he asks "If a Model T Ford was somehow preserved in the ground and then excavated ten thousand years in the future, along with a crescent wrench, a screwdriver, and a ball peen hammer, would a logical conclusion be that the Model T was built with only those tools found with it?"  In the absence of an understandable explanation, and with no concrete memory of what was involved in manufacturing an automobile, such a conclusion might be reached, and given the weight of scientific "evidence."

While Mr. Malkowski's book does not PROVE his case, it makes for interesting reading and should stimulate thought (at the very least) and discussion (at the best) among those thinkers and scientists willing to consider ideas which are currently on the fringe of the community.When it comes to the study of ancient history, and its close relative - archeology - discoveries come slowly, and opinions change even more slowly.  In the field of Egyptology, there are certain accepted beliefs.  The lack of concrete evidence is not a detriment to these beliefs, nor should it be.

However, when new ideas are proposed (such as the existence of a "Civilization X" which preceded the beginnings of Egyptian history), they are held to a higher evidentiary standard, simply because they challenge the accepted views.  In my opinion (and I freely admit that I am NOT an archaeologist, an Egyptologist, nor a physical scientist) fair is fair.  New ideas should certainly be challenged, but they should not be required to provide more than a testable hypothesis.  As one of my favorite authors (Robert A. Heinlein) said in one of his novels "If 'everybody knows' such-and-such, then it ain't so, by at least ten thousand to one."  The ideas in this book (and others proposing the existence of a "Civilization X") deserve a fair and impartial hearing.

While it is quite possible for there to be alternative explanations for many of the artifacts and stories contained within the covers of this book, Mr. Malkowski approaches his explanations with a calm, reasoned approach.  Where orthodox scientists reject myth and fable as being simply religious expressions, he accepts the possibility that they may be more.

Has he proven the existence of "Civilization X"?  Not by a long shot, nor is anyone likely to be able to prove it to orthodox scientists and the average citizen.  Why is this so?  Because there is an inertia which resists change and assumes that the progress of evolution and civilization is linear, and won't accept the concept that civilizations could disappear without a trace.

Physical artifacts, without an accompanying understandable commentary, are always open to interpretation.  Interpretation may, or may not, be accurate.  As an example, on page 262, he asks "If a Model T Ford was somehow preserved in the ground and then excavated ten thousand years in the future, along with a crescent wrench, a screwdriver, and a ball peen hammer, would a logical conclusion be that the Model T was built with only those tools found with it?"  In the absence of an understandable explanation, and with no concrete memory of what was involved in manufacturing an automobile, such a conclusion might be reached, and given the weight of scientific "evidence."

While Mr. Malkowski's book does not PROVE his case, it makes for interesting reading and should stimulate thought (at the very least) and discussion (at the best) among those thinkers and scientists willing to consider ideas which are currently on the fringe of the community.


25[/hr]
[size=-1]Legal Notes: Some description text and item pictures in this post may come from Amazon.com and are used by permission. The Cauldron is an Amazon Affiliate and purchases made through the Amazon links in this message help support The Cauldron. List Price is as of the date this review was originally written and may not be current. The reviewer may have received a free copy of this book to review.[/size]

[size=-1]Discussion of this book is welcome. If you've read the book, please tell us what you think of it and why.[/size]
Randall
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