How Ramesses II's Re-Carving Created the 'Helicopter' Hieroglyphs at Abydos
At the Temple of Seti I in Abydos, Egypt, the so-called 'Helicopter Hieroglyphs' are often mistakenly viewed as proof of extraterrestrial contact or advanced technology. However, Egyptological studies indicate that these shapes are the result of stone recycling, erosion, and re-carving. After Seti I, Ramesses II took over and modified the temple's inscriptions by applying plaster over Seti I's relief and engraving his own titles atop it. As the plaster deteriorated, both layers became visible, creating a palimpsest effect that merges Seti I's bow sign with Ramesses II's arm glyphs, resembling a helicopter. This topic is explored in Peter J. Brand's 2023 book 'Ramesses II, Egypt's Ultimate Pharaoh' and J. A. Roberson's 2016 Kmt article. While the site draws interest from alternative historians, understanding the context is essential for accurate artifact interpretation.
Key facts
- The 'Helicopter Hieroglyphs' are located in the Temple of Seti I at Abydos, Egypt.
- The shapes are the result of Ramesses II re-carving his father Seti I's inscriptions.
- Craftsmen plastered over Seti I's original relief and carved Ramesses II's titles over it.
- Over time, the plaster eroded, exposing both carvings simultaneously.
- The overlapping carvings create a palimpsest, producing the appearance of a helicopter, submarine, and aircraft.
- Pareidolia, the psychological tendency to recognize familiar shapes, contributes to the illusion.
- Peter J. Brand's 2023 book 'Ramesses II, Egypt's Ultimate Pharaoh' details the re-carving at Abydos.
- J. A. Roberson's 2016 article 'Anatomy of a Palimpsest' discusses the 'Abydos Helicopter' phenomenon.
- The article includes a Russian video explaining the hieroglyphs with audio dubbing options.
Entities
Artists
- Ramesses II
- Seti I
Institutions
- Temple of Seti I
- Lockwood Press
- Kmt: A Modern Journal of Ancient Egypt
- Wikipedia
- YouTube
Locations
- Abydos
- Egypt