Chapter 07

Precise measuring instruments from ancient America
Are many modern achievements merely “rediscoveries” from earlier times? Calculating boards prove that the Incas and their ancestors already had an elaborate counting and information system. We know that the Maya were genius master architects. But they not only built ingenious observatories. They also had a precise calendar system. And their tiniest measuring units could certainly compete with modern electronic measuring instruments. These scales, which are unique in the world, were found in Mexico. They consist of altogether 312 parts. The 289 semi-precious stones were used as weights. The units range from 3 kg down to 0.28 grams. This precise measuring instrument was probably used to weigh natural medicines.

Prehistoric high-tech tools
We regard many legacies from ancient peoples with stunned fascination. This also applies to these finely worked utensils out of silicic slate. They were initially classified as “cult objects”. But precise analyses showed that they were high-tech tools. A Pre-Colombian people used them for especially filigreed work. The tools are unbelievably refined and precise. In their handling, they are even more perfect than many items which are in use today. Mathematical rules of design are precisely mirrored in their shape. The relics were found in Sutatausa, an archaeologically almost unexplored area of Colombia. A number of black stones with mysterious characters also come from this area. Who were the ingenious creators? And what did they write down?

The light of the Pharaohs
Electrical power in ancient Egypt? We find indicators of this in the Hathor temple of Dendera in Egypt. Reliefs show insulator-like columns. They support large, long structures in which wavelike snakes are shown. What is baffling is that the depictions show an exact similarity to depictions of electrical discharges. Surprisingly, the texts of Dendera also contain technical data and segments which can be linked with the electricity hypothesis. In 1981, the Viennese electrical expert Walter Garn constructed this functional model in accordance with the Pharaonic models. Many egyptologists reject the technological interpretation of the Dendera relief. But are ancient tales of “eternally burning lamps” really the stuff of legends?

Ancient mechanics and mysterious stonework
More than 5000 year old granite shapes show perfect geometric contours. Were they worked out of the hard stone by machinery, with a template? The small table from the Amazon area is made from the hardest granite. And what is the purpose of this precision even in the prehistoric stone balls? In Costa Rica, such balls were discovered in different sizes, up to 16 tons in weight. Long stones from Ecuador turned out to be one of the oldest musical stone instruments. The stone with the three faces is a stroke of genius. When it is turned, it seems that the mouths are moving. A mechanical purpose is theorised to be behind a mysterious artefact which was excavated in 1917 in lower Egypt. Judging by its appearance, the 2200 year old relic may have been used as a hydraulic turbine.