Egyptologist uncovers hidden messages on Paris’s iconic obelisk

Post by infecto » Thu, May 08, 2025, 1:58 PM UTC

amitport wrote: post #41

infecto wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

While I generally understand the sentiment, I would also argue that most of the countries that have been pillaged of artifacts are also incredibly unstable. I would rather the pillaging exist than to lose history. We could go on as to why those countries are unstable but keeping it bounded to simply the pillaging of artifacts I stand behind it.

Now I'll just be waiting for Italy to return the colleseum stones to Jerusalem. Pretty sure the temple would have been fine, if they would not have destroyed it themeselves. The "we took it to keep it safe" argument is kinda of weak, and still morally wrong

Post by rsynnott » Thu, May 08, 2025, 3:37 PM UTC

thanatos519 wrote: post #16

[flagged]

Post by tough » Thu, May 08, 2025, 3:55 PM UTC

Luc wrote: post #47

thechao wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I suspect, that in the context of "reputable academically sound Egyptologist" the number "6" is a bumper crop of Egyptologists. The set of reputable academics in these fields is always a lot smaller than you'd like. I think that's why there's so many cranks.

There appears to be 300 to 500 practicing academic Egyptologists. So from 1% to 2% can read the secret messages.

Post by tough » Thu, May 08, 2025, 4:00 PM UTC

krapp wrote: post #35

aredox wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> They tore down Greek and Roman temples to build churches on the ruins. They stripped the Coliseum for parts. They made soup out of mummies and traded grave goods as baubles. And yet they/we changed, and have preserved countless artifacts that even their original cultures are only now interested in. Not to forget that the very promotion of those foreign artifacts played a big role in making Westerners recognize the…

And they should continue changing by repatriating artifacts if the original owners want them back. It's entirely possible that some cultures might prefer having their artifacts be kept by others, but that clearly isn't always the case. For instance, bones and sacred items taken from indigenous peoples. And as far as instability is concerned, a lot of that was caused by the same imperialist governments that looted the…

Post by amitport » Thu, May 08, 2025, 5:20 PM UTC

rsynnott wrote: post #54

amitport wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Egypt was subjugated to the Ottoman Empire at the time. And even if they had some kind of king/dictator, it is certainly was a decision of a free people. What antique France monuments did France give away just like that for no reason? Do not take what should not have been offered.

It was _essentially_ independent by then: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Egypt_under_the_Muh... It was in principle still part of the Ottoman Empire, but not really meaningfully under their control.