Unraveling the Mystery of the Sakara Bird: Did the Ancient Egyptians Invent the Plane?

In 1898, you find yourself amidst the vast excavations in Sakara, a place not far from Cairo, teeming with ancient tombs and pyramids. You're in your Indiana Jones mode, hoping to unearth something truly extraordinary that could propel you to fame. Amongst the gold, manuscripts, treasure maps, and mummies of famous pharaohs, you stumble upon an unassuming wooden bird. Disappointment sets in as it appears to be a simple, albeit old, toy

The Sakara Bird: A Mysterious Relic

The artifact, affectionately nicknamed the Sakara Bird, is crafted from sycamore wood, boasting a modest wingspan of just seven inches and a weight of around 40 grams. It stands as a perfect original souvenir from ancient Egypt, over 2,000 years old, and remarkably unadorned, lacking intricate carvings or feathered embellishments. It does, however, feature a beak and eyes, giving it the semblance of a hawk, a symbol of the deity Horus. The bird's tail, squared and seemingly upright, leaves an enigmatic gap where a missing piece once rested.

Theories Surrounding the Sakara Bird

Given humanity's penchant for solving mysteries, several theories have arisen to explain the purpose of the Sakara Bird.

1. A Ceremonial Object

The simplest explanation posits that it was a ceremonial object. However, this theory raises more questions than answers, leaving the true purpose of the bird open to speculation.

2. A Child's Toy

Another theory suggests that it might have been a toy for a child from a well-off family, possibly akin to a boomerang, which had popularity in ancient Egypt. While this theory adds a touch of charm to the artifact, it remains speculative.

3. A Weathervane?

An earlier theory postulated that the bird served as a weathervane. This idea, though intriguing, was debunked since the figure lacks any holes or markings for attaching it to a pole.

4. A Model of a Monoplane

In a surprising turn of events, almost a century after its discovery, Dr. Khalil Masiha, an Egyptologist, proposed a new theory. He suggested that the Sakara Bird might have been a model of a monoplane. According to his theory, the bird was missing a horizontal tail plane, but its wings were set at a right angle, similar to modern planes. This configuration could potentially generate the aerodynamic lift necessary for flight. Dr. Masiha also pointed out that it was a common practice at the time to place miniature models of technological inventions in tombs.

The Ancient Egyptians and Early Aviation

If Dr. Masiha's theory holds true, it could revolutionize our understanding of history. Did the ancient Egyptians, in 200 BCE, invent the precursor to modern aviation? This notion would certainly ruffle the feathers of the Wright brothers, considered the pioneers of aviation, who conducted their first powered flight in 1903.

To settle this intriguing debate, the ultimate litmus test would be to test the model. Unfortunately, the ancient Museum in Cairo is unlikely to allow their cherished exhibit to take flight. To address this, glider designer Martin Gregory constructed a similar model out of balsa wood. Even with the missing tail plane, the replica revealed that the Sakara Bird was not particularly suited for sustained flight.

However, this conclusion failed to satisfy everyone. The History Channel took it a step further and invited an aerodynamics expert to construct another replica of the bird. This time, the expert tested it in weather conditions similar to those in Egypt and was astounded by the small plane's capabilities. If the ancient Egyptians did indeed invent this prototype of a plane, the Sakara Bird would be a prime example of an "oopart" - an out-of-place artifact that is technologically advanced compared to its historical context.

The Mysteries of Ancient Technology

The Sakara Bird isn't the only example of a seemingly advanced concept in an unexpected historical context. In 1901, divers discovered the Antikythera Mechanism, a bronze device considered the world's first analog computer, near the Greek island of Antikythera. Dated around 100 BCE, this device could predict the positions of the sun, moon, planets, and stars, lunar phases, and even upcoming solar eclipses with remarkable precision. The origins and purpose of the mechanism remain a mystery, leaving us in awe of the ancient Greeks' technological prowess.

In the realm of plumbing, the Minoans on the island of Crete and the Indus Valley Civilization independently invented flushing toilets around 4,000 years ago. Their plumbing and sanitation systems were so advanced that it took nearly two millennia for anyone to improve upon them. The presence of a flushing toilet was a clear indicator of affluence in real estate at the time.

Automated doors, seemingly a modern invention, have roots dating back to the 1st century CE. Heron of Alexandria, a mathematician and engineer, designed a hydraulic system to open and close temple doors. This system relied on heat produced by a fire to move water from a brass pot, activating a weight system to operate the doors. While a far cry from the swift motion of today's automated doors, it was a groundbreaking achievement in its era.

The first battery-like device emerged in Baghdad around 2,000 years ago, as evidenced by an oval-shaped clay jar. This enigmatic artifact produced approximately one volt of electricity when filled with a weak acid, such as vinegar. Its purpose remains a subject of debate, with theories ranging from electroplating to holding sacred scrolls.

Finally, contact lenses have a long and fascinating history. Leonardo da Vinci conceptualized a glass lens in 1508 that required wearers to fill it with water for improved vision, albeit uncomfortably. Centuries later, contacts made of blown glass covered the entire eye, preventing blinking. Advances in materials led to plastic lenses that covered only the cornea, and eventually, the development of comfortable, lightweight, and breathable modern contact lenses.