CHAPTER V.

ANCIENT SCIENCE AND ART.

Evidence of Antiquity--Pyramids and Temples--Arithmetic--Decimal and Duodecimal Scales--Astronomy--Geometry reached in Egypt at earliest Dates--Great Pyramid--Piazzi Smyth and Pyramid-Religion--Pyramids formerly Royal Tombs, but built on Scientific Plans--Exact Orientation on Meridian--Centre in 30° N. Latitude--Tunnel points to Pole--Possible use as an Observatory--Procter--Probably Astrological--Planetary Influences--Signs of the Zodiac--Mathematical Coincidences of Great Pyramid--Chaldæan Astronomy--Ziggurats--Tower of Babel--Different Orientation from Egyptian Pyramids--Astronomical Treatise from Library of Sargon I., 3800 B.C.--Eclipses and Phases of Venus--Measures of Time from Old Chaldæan--Moon and Sun--Found among so many distant Races--Implies Commerce and Intercourse--Art and Industry--Embankment of Menes--Sphynx--Industrial Arts--Fine Arts--Sculpture and Painting--The Oldest Art the best--Chaldæan Art--De Sarzec's Find at Sirgalla--Statues and Works of Art--Imply long use of Bronze--Whence came the Copper and Tin--Phoenician and Etruscan Commerce--Bronze known 200 years earlier--Same Alloy everywhere--Possible Sources of Supply--Age of Copper--Names of Copper and Tin--Domestic Animals--Horse--Ox and Ass--Agriculture--All proves Extreme Antiquity 134