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RE: Misconceptions in Egyptology
I agree, especially to the argument with the construction of the pyramids. Brunner-Traut mentioned this in her research, but she argued, that the shape of the pyramid was very simple and the Ancient Egyptian would never have been able to built complex halls and domes of metal and steel like we do today. But I think it needs more to build a structure like the pyramids in such a monumental way, than just a favor for toy building blocks. As we now know a deep mathematical understandin and physical knowledge was required.
But I want you to consider that we as egyptologists can only draw conclusions from the material heritage that we have access to. The rest is and stays speculation.
That's the trouble with these things there is far too much speculation stated as fact, that gets repeated. Its ok for "experts" in a field to not know things, the trouble is they always feel compelled to fill in the gaps in their knowledge with conjecture. Its very clear to an engineer that the mathematics and draughtsmanship needed to build any of these amazing structures is missing from the historical record. unfortunately there are some very closed minded people within Egyptology and this is holding us back from a true understanding of these wonderful artefacts.
This is indeed a true fact, but the reason for this lays in the history of Egyptology itself. It is (with other scientific subject) a very young and need to find a place in the academic world after the first "gold rush" when the excavators from all over the world rest without any documentation or publication. A lot of rumors and half-knowledge was used to build up secret societies. So, to keep the balance. It was a lot of Egyptologist. This led to an Egyptology that might be perceived as "stubborn".
No, not really. As far as I can see, Egyptology is in a transformational process. Especially young Egyptologists are more open minded than most of the people would imagine. The problem is just the academic boundaries in general (also in other subjects and research fields). No one is really "free" to publish crazy hypotheses without weighing the risks of being dismissed by collegues.
But more courageous people are coming up, believe me...
Ok well you know more than me about this and sounds like there is reason for optimism. I hope moving forward in the beautiful subject of Egyptology their are more like you and less like Zahi "Gatekeeper" Hawass.