Controversial remark by Elon Musk that aliens built the Pyramids in Egypt has been roundly refuted by Egyptologist Zahi Hawass, who described the claim as “complete hallucination” in a video posted on his Facebook page.
The Billionaire tech mogul endorsed the unproven theory via Twitter on Friday.
“Aliens built the pyramids obv [sic],” the SpaceX and Tesla chief executive said. In a later tweet, he added: “The Great Pyramid was the tallest structure made by humans for 3,800 years. Three thousand, eight hundred years.”
Alien theorists point to the extraordinary level of technical expertise demonstrated in the construction of the 4,000-year-old pyramids, which are counted among the seven wonders of the world.
Built as tombs for the pharaohs who ruled over Egypt, they continue to raise questions among scientists, who are not entirely sure how the towering structures were created. But they do cite significant evidence that human hands were behind the pyramids, even if some of the techniques remain a mystery.
Mr Hawass pointed to the recently uncovered Wadi Al Jarf papyrus, which includes the Diary of Merer, an official involved in building the Great Pyramid of Khufu.
“This is a response from Zahi Hawass to American billionaire Elon Musk, what you said about the pyramids is completely hallucination, the pyramids are built by Egyptians and I will tell you quickly the evidence.
Number one, all the tombs around the great pyramid mention Khufu pyramid, the king himself and also inside the great pyramid there are inscriptions telling us about the workmen and the gangs who built the pyramids,” the acclaimed egyptologist said.
He went on to lay out more historic and scientific evidence supporting the construction of the pyramids by Egyptians and suggested Mr Musk read up on the subject.
His advice was echoed by Egypt’s Minister of International Co-operation, Rania Al Mashat, who said in a comment to Mr Musk on Twitter: "I follow your work with a lot of admiration. I invite you and Space X to explore the writings about how the pyramids were built and also to check out the tombs of the pyramid builders. Mr Musk, we are waiting for you.''
Suggested picnic spots
Abu Dhabi
Umm Al Emarat Park
Yas Gateway Park
Delma Park
Al Bateen beach
Saadiyaat beach
The Corniche
Zayed Sports City
Dubai
Kite Beach
Zabeel Park
Al Nahda Pond Park
Mushrif Park
Safa Park
Al Mamzar Beach Park
Al Qudrah Lakes
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
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Canada
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Sri Lanka-India Test series schedule
- 1st Test India won by 304 runs at Galle
- 2nd Test Thursday-Monday at Colombo
- 3rd Test August 12-16 at Pallekele
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
From exhibitions to the battlefield
In 2016, the Shaded Dome was awarded with the 'De Vernufteling' people's choice award, an annual prize by the Dutch Association of Consulting Engineers and the Royal Netherlands Society of Engineers for the most innovative project by a Dutch engineering firm.
It was assigned by the Dutch Ministry of Defence to modify the Shaded Dome to make it suitable for ballistic protection. Royal HaskoningDHV, one of the companies which designed the dome, is an independent international engineering and project management consultancy, leading the way in sustainable development and innovation.
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