Light Bulb

The idea of the Dendara Light Bulb was popularized in the 20th century by Erich von Däniken in the ancient astronaut theory movement. He claimed that this could be evidence of advanced technology, possibly even extraterrestrial, in ancient Egypt.

The Temple of Hathor at Dendara, where the reliefs are located, is part of a larger temple complex in Dendara, Egypt. This temple complex is one of the best-preserved in all of Egypt and was primarily built during the Ptolemaic period (305–30 BCE), though it stands on the site of earlier structures dating back to the Old Kingdom.

The Napoleonic Expedition to Egypt (1798-1801), by Napoleon Bonaparte, was one of the earliest Western engagements with ancient Egyptian sites. His campaign not only had military aims but also brought along scientists, engineers, and scholars. They produced the Description de l'Égypte, a monumental work that recorded ancient Egyptian monuments, including Dendara which  brought the temple complex to wider European attention.

Scholars and scientists who accompanied Napoleon recorded and sketched the various reliefs throughout the temple complex. At the time, these reliefs were interpreted through the lens of Egyptian mythology.

But did the interpretation match the true meaning of the Dendara light bulb? In 1968, Erich von Däniken proposed that the Dendara relief could represent an ancient electric lightbulb. He developed the hypothesis that the bulbous shape in the relief resembled the structure of a modern incandescent lightbulb. 

Inside the "bulb," a snake-like figure could be viewed as a filament, which is the part of a lightbulb that glows when electricity passes through it. The figures holding or supporting the "bulb" could be interpreted as priests or technicians, suggesting that the device was being operated. Von Däniken suggested that this was evidence of either advanced technology from a lost civilization or extra-terrestrial influence, which he believed explained many mysteries of the ancient world. 

The Geissler Tube and Crookes Tube Analogy of Dendara Light bulb

In 1983, researchers Alfred Grözinger and Peter Krassa attempted to provide a more technical explanation on the relief. They hypothesized that the relief could represent a type of Geissler tube or Crookes tube, early vacuum tubes from the 19th century that emit light when electricity passes through them. They suggested that the snake inside the "bulb" could be a discharge tube similar to these early devices, where the snake represents the glowing filament or the electrical arc.

The authors went so far as to reconstruct a version of the supposed device, claiming that the ancient Egyptians might have used primitive electrical lighting, particularly in the dark chambers of temples where natural light was scarce.

In their interpretation, Grözinger and Krassa suggested that the lotus flower depicted at the base of the "bulb" was symbolic of the power source for the device. They did not propose a detailed explanation for how the Egyptians might have generated electricity but hypothesized that the flower symbolized the device’s power or energy. 

Some representations in the Dendera reliefs show what looks like a cable or rope extending from the "bulb," which they likened to power cables connecting the bulb to a power source. They imagined that these figures might represent technicians or priests who were using the device, rather than performing a religious ceremony. 

Grözinger and Krassa speculated that the ancient Egyptians may have used such "lightbulbs" in temple crypts, like the one where the Dendara relief was found. These crypts are dark, and conventional methods like oil lamps would have produced smoke, which could have damaged the artwork or sacred relics.  

The Role of Pseudoscience and Fringe Theories in Egyptology

The mainstream academic community, including well-known Egyptologists like Wallis Budge (1857–1934) and more recent scholars like Dr. Zahi Hawass, have consistently dismissed the idea that the Dendara Light Bulb represents an actual lighting device. They argue that the carving is purely symbolic, illustrating the god Harsomtus emerging from a lotus flower, representing creation and rebirth.

Scholars point out that ancient Egyptian art was not intended to be a literal representation of reality but used symbolism to convey religious and mythological concepts. There is no supporting archaeological evidence for electrical technology in ancient Egypt, such as conductors, wires, or power sources, which would be necessary for such a device.

With the rise of television programs like Ancient Aliens in the 1990s and early 2000s, and documentaries on fringe theories, the idea of the Dendara Light Bulb gained even more traction in popular culture. 

The internet further spread these theories, allowing alternative researchers to reach a wide audience. Some writers and historians, such as Jason Colavito and Kenneth Feder, have actively worked to debunk pseudoscientific claims about the Dendara Light Bulb and other fringe theories. They emphasize the importance of interpreting ancient art and artifacts within their cultural and historical contexts. 

Fringe theories about ancient Egypt  remain popular for several reasons. People are often fascinated by mysteries and the idea that ancient civilizations possessed lost knowledge. The notion of secret technologies adds an element of intrigue that traditional interpretations may lack. Additionally, some proponents of fringe theories believe that mainstream scholars intentionally ignore or suppress evidence that challenges accepted views.

The Dendara carving’s appearance does resemble a modern light bulb to the casual observer, making the theory seem plausible at first glance.

Pseudoscience and fringe theories, like the Dendara Light Bulb interpretation, continue to challenge mainstream Egyptology by proposing that ancient Egyptians had advanced technology. These ideas have a long history, from 19th-century speculations to modern TV shows and internet forums. While such theories capture the public’s imagination, mainstream scholars emphasize interpreting ancient artifacts within their symbolic, cultural, and historical contexts.

The Dendara Light Bulb serves as a classic example of how pseudoscience can influence public perceptions of history, creating ongoing debates about ancient knowledge and technology.

Do you think the theories developed to explain the Dendara Light bulb have an intriguing perspective of existence?