My visit to the exhibition of world cultural civilizations brought me back to the memories of my travel to Egypt in the year 2000. In Egypt I enjoyed the sight-seeing filled with a great pleasure, as I witnessed the pyramids and Sphinx.  I had a thought that I would not have had the opportunity to visit personally the great historic spots if China had not implemented the reform and open policy. The Great Pyramid of Giza  (also called the Pyramid of Khufu) is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids in the Giza Necropolis bordering what is now Cairo, and is the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World that survives substantially intact. It is believed the pyramid was built as a tomb for Fourth dynasty Egyptian King Khufu  and constructed over a 20 year period concluding around 2540 BC. The Great Pyramid was the tallest man-made structure in the world for over 3,800 years.

Also I was fortunate to have a special tour to Luxor that  has often been called the world's greatest open air museum, as indeed it is and much more.  I most enjoyed the movie of Death on the Nile which  I viewed it years ago, and found myself enjoying it all over again. I could quite remember some scenes. The plot actually makes for an entertaining time.

I would like to present some Egyptian materials, such as rare information I got from magazines and photos taken by myself. The information of Egyptian civilization here left me speechless from shock.

pyramid

Luxor

obelisk - a tall stone pillar in honor of a person or an event

tour guide

Egyptian belly dance

Egypt's desert of promise

Nestled in vast depressions close to the water table, oases support human habitation

Despite sweltering heat, a dwelling remains 20 - 30 degrees cooler on the inside. mud-brick as an insullator. Perforated shutters allow breeze to circulate

women sort dates

men use muscle power to run an olive press, a view could have ben viewed thousands of years ago

women cradle a jug of water freshly filled from one of the village taps

Welcoming the soul of a dead official, shown as a bird with a human head, the goddess Isis offers water.

Pide of the past shines from the face  of an old woman. Serene despite flies, she wears marks of beauty: gold nose pendant and a chin tattoo.

A river of sand advances to smoother houses, fields and groves of date palms

Time, wind, and thieves ravaged the tombs of a 1600-year-old Christian cemetry.

a geologist finds shade enough for a morning break.

French archaeological team probe the ruins of a town that flourished during the VI Dynasty

Result of erosion, silica nodules stipple the sand and expose limestone of a basin.  rock formed when the desert was covered by a sea 20 million years ago.

Gusher of hope for the future, water trapped underground spurts from a well.