The Melted Stairs of the Hathor Temple
The strange melted stairs in the Temple of Hathor. Image: Ancientic
The Hathor Temple is an ancient Egyptian temple located within the Dendera Temple complex in Egypt. Strangely, some of the temples solid granite stairs appear to have melted.
What is the Hathor Temple?
The impressive ancient Temple of Hathor
The Hathor Temple is an awe-inspiring site within the Dendera temple complex, located about 2.5 kilometres (1.6 miles) south-east of Dendera, Egypt. This remarkable structure is renowned for its size and is considered one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt. Covering a staggering 400 square meters, the temple is a testament to the architectural prowess of ancient Egyptians.
Hathor was a revered goddess in ancient Egypt, and she was associated with joy, motherhood, and love for women. She was so important to the Egyptians that she was present in almost every aspect of their lives, including death. Hathor was often referred to as "the lady of the stars" or "the sovereign of the stars" because Egyptian mythology states that she descended from heaven.
This connection to the heavens has led many theorists and ancient astronaut enthusiasts to speculate about Hathor's origins. Some believe that she may have come from another planet, which would explain her association with the stars.
Another strange thing in the temple of Hathor.. a giant lightbulb?
One of the most popular features of the Hathor Temple is the famous relief of the Dendera light. A fringe theory suggests that the relief depicts a giant light bulb, lit by electricity. The lamp's dedication to the goddess Hathor only adds to its mystique and significance.
Those who support the idea that the ancient Egyptians had knowledge of electricity have cited a text that mentions the use of high poles covered with copper plates to break storms from above. Egyptologist Bolko Stern has refuted this claim. He argues that the copper-covered tops of the poles, which were shorter than the associated pylons, had nothing to do with electricity or lightning. Instead, he asserts that the installation was a magical one, rather than a technical one.
The Melted Stairs of the Hathor Temple
Here’s where things get extra weird. The west side of the Hathor temple has a staircase that leads to the roof. The staircase is decorated with beautiful images of the pharaoh, goddess, and priests, but unfortunately, it's in bad shape. In fact, the steps have been completely melted down, leaving scientists puzzled.
The Hathor Temple staircase is made of solid granite, which requires extremely high temperatures to melt. So how could this have happened? Scientists have yet to find a satisfactory explanation for this mystery. It's not erosion or continuous use that caused the steps to deteriorate. Instead, it appears that they were subjected to some kind of extreme heat that caused the granite to melt.
When you examine the staircase closely, it becomes apparent that there's no way that ordinary wear and tear could have caused this kind of damage. Something extraordinary must have happened to the Hathor Temple staircase to cause it to melt.
Theories about the Melted Stairs of the Hathor Temple
Nuclear Technology
Some theorists believe that there may have been advanced technology, such as nuclear weaponry, in ancient Egypt. They point to a puzzling phenomenon as evidence: the melting of the Hathor Temple staircase. According to these theorists, the only way the ambient temperature could have been raised high enough to melt solid granite would be through the use of nuclear power.
The idea of ancient nuclear technology may seem far-fetched to some, but the melting of the Hathor Temple staircase is a mystery that has yet to be fully explained. It's possible that ancient civilizations had a greater understanding of science and technology than we give them credit for.
If this theory is true, it would mean that the ancient Egyptians possessed a level of technological sophistication that we previously thought impossible. The idea of nuclear weapons in ancient times may seem unbelievable, but it's not outside the realm of possibility.
This theory seems unlikely however, as it is only the steps of the temple that are melted, not the whole thing. The area of damage is quite narrow and appears to have left the rest of the temple unscathed.
Geopolymer Stones
Another theory about what may have caused the melted staircase at the Hathor Temple is that they occured as a result of a failed geopolymer moulding process. Some believe Ancient Egyptians were skilled in the art of casting geopolymer stones.
Geopolymers are synthetic stones that are made using sand and water, along with additives like dung and lime. When these elements are mixed together, they induce a natural crystallization process that hardens over the course of several months.
The end result is a material that looks and feels just like natural stone, as the crystallization process is identical to the one that forms rocks in nature. In some cases, the casting of geopolymer stones can fail and cause the result to be imperfect. This failure offers a glimpse into the complexity and nuance of this ancient technique.
Skeptics claim the Egyptians were not using this sort of technology in their building but simply quarrying stone and hauling it to the desired location for building with.
Wear and Tear from Millions of Footsteps
It is not uncommon for steps made from soft rocks such as limestone to wear down from repeated use. Some argue that this same process natural erosion from repeated use could have caused the strange damage to the stairs at the Temple of Hathor. While this seems plausible it does not fully explain the melted looking stairs.
Erosion from people’s feet on stone is usually quite smooth in appearance. The melted stairs of the Hathor Temple are rough looking, almost as if someone has poured some concrete over them.
Also, the Temple of Hathor’s stairs are made of granite which is far harder and less likely to be worn down than limestone.
So what really caused the melting of the stairs at the Temple of Hathor? We’re undecided! Maybe some geologists or archaeologists can shed some light on this mystery in the comments!
If you enjoyed learning about the melted steps of the Hathor Temple you might also be interested in strange pyramids found under Rock Lake in Wisconsin or an Ancient Egyptian Temple found in Tennessee.
