verabeert:

The wind outside nested in each tree, prowled the sidewalks in invisible treads like unseen cats.Anyone could see that the wind was a special wind this night, and the darkness took on a special feel because it was All Hallows’ Eve. Everything seemed cut from soft black velvet or gold or orange velvet. Smoke panted up out of a thousand chimneys like the plumes of funeral parades. From kitchen windows drifted two pumpkin smells: gourds being cut, pies being baked.“

–Ray Bradbury,

 The Halloween Tree.

 (Photo of Halloween Night, in Salem, Massachusetts, Usa. Photography by: Lee Sie)

Simple Elegance

Source: verabeert

grandegyptianmuseum:

Some interesting facts on how the pyramids were built:

  • Khufu’s pyramid, known as the great pyramid of Giza, is the oldest and largest, rising at 481 feet (146 meters). Archaeologists say it was the tallest structure in the world for about 3, 800 years.
  • The sphinx is a 73.5-meter (241 ft.) long monument built during the reign of Khafra. The creature is a mythical being commonly found in Greek, Egyptian and even South Asian ancient architecture.
  • Khafra and Menkaure’s pyramids are much smaller and simpler in design than Khufu’s massive structure. When first built, the pyramids were covered in white limestone much of which eroded over the years.
  • Contrary to popular depictions, the Egyptian pyramids were not built by large groups of slaves or prisoners, many historians say. Egyptians were employed and archaeologist estimate the workers would have had to set a 2.5 to 15 ton block every two and a half minutes to finish Khufu’s pyramid in about 30 years.

Historians say the purpose of the pyramids was to house the king’s body after death. The Giza pyramids have elaborate tunnel systems inside containing gold and other objects Egyptians thought would be useful in the afterlife. 

Amazing Facts about the Great Pyramids of Giza

grandegyptianmuseum:

2,300-Year-Old Mummy Unveiled in Saqqara near the Pyramid of Teti

The 2300 year old mummy wearing a golden mask was discovered at Egypt’s Saqqara Pyramids complex south of Cairo in May 2005. The mummy is unidentified from the 30th dynasty, had been closed in a wooden sarcophagus and buried in sand at the bottom of a 20’ shaft before being discovered by Louvre’s Saqqara excavations team. The identity of the mummy is unknown but it is believed that it is from the 30th dynasty (380-343 BC). The ancient Egyptian was probably wealthy owing to the fine gold used to make the mummy’s mask and the location of the burial. Photo: Marc Deville