After 2 weeks in Egypt and Jordan, there is so much to talk about and so much to put into a context of understanding. In the face of artifacts over 5000 years old, one might ask: what gets remembered?
Why do we know so much about ancient Egypt and so little about other cultures from that time? Ancient Egyptians built awe inspiring monuments that still have not been duplicated. I was SO excited when one of the first things we saw at the Egyptian Museum was the Narmer Palette (pictured above) which was carved about 3000 years B.C in the second hardest rock after diamonds. Because it was buried for centuries and covered by the sand it survived. Further, because the Egyptians had a written language of hieroglyphics which continued (though modified) for centuries, the stories it told have been communicated. And, they were not constantly invaded by enemies because of their unique geographic location – a culture built a long a river surrounded by impenetrable deserts.
So what gets remembered? Without a written style of communication, what gets communicated is the oral story told from one generation to the next. Some believe that Abraham from Judeo-Christian- islamic tradition also lived about 3000 BC. Yet, because no written text from that time has been found, we rely on documents from way later that tell the stories. They did not build big monuments in an attempt to be remembered.
How many other fine cultures existed at the same time that we know nothing about? One wonders if humans always built monuments in an attempt to be immortal or at least long remembered for their presence here.
What does being remembered mean for modern day Egypt? It is hard to tell other than the boost to the economy from tourism. Maybe the past is irrelevant. But there is something about seeing the awe inspiring work from such a long time ago that challenges the viewer to reach higher – to go for more. Maybe that is the lesson.
As we break for the year end holidays, spend a little time thinking about the legacy you wish to create. Maybe it won’t last 5000 years, but make it good for 2022!