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Determination of Time in Ancient Egypt

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When in fact the kings of Egypt as Tutankhamun or Ramses II rule? This question is often a source of debate among historians. However, the debate would end with the emergence of a new technique of radiocarbon dating.

The new technique can accurately determine the period of time and chronology of the dynastic history of Egypt through a test of organic material.

Finally, among the archaeologists now have an accurate record of the period of time and chronology of the history of ancient Egyptian dynasties, the middle, and the new kingdom thanks to carbon dating techniques (radiocarbon dating).

Scientific techniques with carbon dating of ancient Egyptian objects actually not new, but this time a team of researchers used statistical techniques that are guaranteed accurate to test the dynastic period of Egyptian history.

Radiocarbon dating is also known as carbon-14 dating is a technique that can determine accurately the age of organic materials. To obtain the carbon-14 dating is accurate, the research team examined 211 samples of species of plants, seeds, papyrus, stems or stalks, and fruits of plants and plant species found in the tombs of the kings or pharaohs, including King Tutankhamun's tomb.

Samples of plants and herbs such as grains that part has been more than 4500 years ago it was "borrowed" from the collections of the museums in the United States and Europe.

One researcher from Oxford University, Thomas Higham, say, a lot of organic material found in ancient Egyptian tombs and other archaeological sites.

In the journal Science on Friday (18 / 6), the research team explained the calculation of radioactive carbon in ancient artifacts through plants and plants that ever existed in the vicinity. His analysis, plants and plants that absorb carbon-14 during the growth is still storing radioactive isotope has decayed and even death. The remains of carbon-14 is attached to the ancient artifacts is then measured to determine their age.

To ensure the sample was made from organic material that grows at the same time when the artifact is created, the researchers did not examine the artefacts made from wood or bone, but only to test food, textiles, and baskets.

Results for three-year study led by Christopher Ramsey of Oxford University, England, along with experts from Cranfield University, National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) in France, experts from Austria, and Israel, among others, the latest data in the form of dynastic rule New Kingdom Egypt which was started in 1570 BC-1544 BC (before Christ).

This differs from the previous opinion among historians estimate the new kingdom of Egypt came to power around 1550 BC. King of the New Kingdom, Ramesses II, known as the greatest king of Egypt, is known to power in 1297-1273 BC. The ruling of King Tutankhamun in 1353 BC to 1331 BC.

There is also a new finding to mention, one of the famous pharaoh in the era of the Third Dynasty of Old Kingdom Egypt, Djoser, to power in 2691 BC to 2625 BC, or about 50-100 years earlier than historians previously forecast. Period Djoser power can be known after examining the seeds and plants found in a chamber beneath the Saqqara pyramid stairs.

Given recent data that, among historians inevitably have to change their notes about the history of the dynasty of Egypt who was then dominating the Mediterranean. In addition, the debate among the Egyptian experts could end with the emergence of these data is more accurate.

Closure

The new findings with carbon-14 is thought to halt the long debate among the experts of Egypt. One debate is about the time period of the New Kingdom era of "birth" of the kings known as Amenhotep, Tutankhamun, and Ramesses. On the one hand, among historians believe that the dynasty era began in 1539 BC, but on the other hand some are of the opinion begins in 1550 BC.

"During this time carbon dating is not trusted because it is often a fatal error occurs. However, the technique is now able to eliminate differences in the reconstruction of the history of ideas, "said Andrew Shortland from Cranfield University, UK.

Radiocarbon dating technique is more accurate than the analyzes of the history of Egypt during which concluded this based solely on historical documents or archaeological evidence. Like the Egyptian historical documents, for example, have been prepared based on the diary scratches historian Manetho in the 3rd century BC and inscriptions found in Saqqara and Karnak. These notes were later produced the "floating timeline" because it is less consistent with an uncertain period of time.

In addition to the documents and archaeological findings, the time period of Egyptian history is often simply referred from astronomical events. However, in this way too difficult to obtain accurate data. Just compare the ratio of astronomy with archaeological findings in the document and the first pyramid at Saqqara which is used as the tomb of King Djoser. Among historians argue, Djoser to power in 2667 BC to 2592 BC. However, when using astronomical calculations, the new Djoser ruled 75 years later. Differences of opinion like this is expected to be minimized with the use of carbon-14 technique.


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