The golden section, Egypt
Egypt: Cheops' pyramid
Recall that one model for the cross-section
of the Great Pyramid was the triangle with
height 4 and base PI. The dimensions fit
with accuracy better than 1 in 1000.
The golden triangle has sides (1, SQRT PHI, PHI).
Oddly, the slopes of these two triangles agree
within 1 in 1000.
That is: SQRT PHI ~= 4/PI.
According to Schwaller de Lubicz and other authors,
the ancient Egyptians knew this.
Hence, the Big Question of geometro-archeology:
WHICH MODEL: PI or PHI? OR BOTH??
(cf. John Michell, The New View over Atlantis, p. 145.)
Egypt: the PHI ratio
Here are some indications that the ancient Egyptians
knew the Golden Ratio:
These are are independently believable, in my view,
and collectively convincing.
Ralph H. Abraham, 02 November 1996.