Two New Videos Related to Graham Hancock's New Book

5/1/2019

My copy of America Before should arrive tomorrow. I can't promise I'll dive right into it, but I have found myself getting drawn into thinking about Graham Hancock's broader message as well as the specific claims I've heard him make during recent interviews. Perhaps what he writes is more nuanced (and more accurate?) than what he says. So far, listening to his performances on YouTube I am struck by the combination of hearing someone who is simultaneously very well-spoken and so very often so very wrong. Ultimately it doesn't matter how slippery you can be, however -- facts are facts.

Anyway, I've made a couple more videos reacting to components of Hancock's argument. The first is my reaction to his contention that archaeology is not a science:

The second addresses the contention that finding true north requires "advanced astronomical knowledge." I've heard this claim many times and I've never understood it: Anyone who lives/works outside experiences and understands the linkages between the movements and angles of the sun, changes in the length of the day, and the annual tempo of the seasons. Finding and marking the solstices and the equinoxes is not at all difficult if you observe the horizon in the morning from a fixed location, and ancient societies would have had many reasons to do that. The "mystery" of finding true north is really no mystery at all. What's really a mystery is why so many people invested in "alternative" archaeology assume that ancient people were as ignorant as they are of the way the natural world.

Jim

5/2/2019 01:40:33 pm

Looks too complicated, how about just marking two shadow points. One at sunrise, one at sunset, on any given day the line between the two should be exactly east west, no ?

Andy White

5/3/2019 08:52:58 am

Try it and let us know what you learn!

Jim

5/3/2019 09:26:06 am

http://suncalc.net/#/34.0574,-80.9833,8/2019.05.03/10:19

Anthony

6/6/2019 01:27:49 pm

Dr. White,

I was doing some experiments with a Replogle World Prism Series 12in diameter globe. Taking the globe out into the sunlight made magic happen.

At first light, focus the sun into the center of the sphere. Two little rainbows will appear on either side of the globe. The number of rainbows changes as the day progresses. At high noon there are six. All appear to point toward cardinal directions.
The real magic happens when the light is equal on the sphere, the 7th and 8th directional points appear. Reminds me of the Great Pyramid on the Equinox. Partially inspired by the ancient metallic spheres, and a heavy dose of pure, dumb luck. There is a little bit more to this if, anyone is interested. Really need 8 more people and some dental floss, or fishing line. Would make an excellent class project.

Anthony

6/24/2019 04:30:05 pm

I should explain with more details. Standing in the middle of the street running East West to avoid obstructions of the horizon, I aimed my sphere toward the rising Sun. The Sun appears as a small point of light on the sphere. Immediately, both north and south are clearly marked on the sphere. They are marked by the two points of diffused light at the edge of the sphere ("little rainbows"). As time progresses, the third point of diffused light shows up, clearly marking West. This process keeps increasing until noon, when 6 directions are clearly marked. At this time the sphere can be manipulated to allow for the seventh and eighth directional points to manifest. By continuing this process facing west, the points of diffused light reverse their order down to two.

I would love to get a hold of one of these "chromed spheres" of apparently dubious origin. IF, they are real, I believe I have found a purpose for them. Would love to set one in the center hole of some artifacts which, were alleged to hold a stick.

When, I say these directions are clearly marked, I mean dead-on. Not, "pretty doggone close". At noon, with the help of eight other people, a little bit of fishing line, and 8 sticks...One could accurately mark 8 directional points. One can even tell the approximate time of day, by the number of diffused light points. This is really cool. No psychic powers needed, or long-term observations.

Anthony

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Two New Videos Related to Graham Hancock's New Book

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