Physics:Helicopter hieroglyphs

Short description: Egyptian palimpsest inscription misinterpreted as depicting a helicopter

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.

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

Translation

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

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:

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.

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

• Dendera light

Sources

• Brand, Peter J. (2023). Ramesses II, Egypt's Ultimate Pharaoh. Lockwood Press. pp. 82–85, 108. ISBN 9781948488495. 

Further reading

• Roberson, Joshua Aaron (2016). "Anatomy of a Palimpsest: The Not-so-Strange Case of the 'Abydos Helicopter'". Kmt 27: 61–66. 

External links

• Temples of Abydos 360-degree view
• Page showing how two different sets of hieroglyphs could have merged into the controversial images.