Research
inspired by Stargate SG-1
from Adele's perspective
Part of my fascination with this show is that the references to history, archaeology, anthropology and linguistics in the show (at least, that I have noticed) are not completely made up. Some sci-fi writers just fabricate whatever they need in human nature or history or language to support their plotlines, and while this allows them to explore new and different issues in their plots, I don't find those stories as interesting as ones which draw on actual historical information.
I expect that this section will be growing, as I research all sorts of diverse topics related, however peripherally, to the film Stargate and the Stargate SG-1 television show.
Who knows, I may end up going back for a degree in archaeology yet... when I was in second grade, I was sure either that or paleontology was my true calling, but I've gotten a little sidetracked! If anyone is curious about my background or credentials as a certifiable geek, know this: my Bachelors degree is in geochemistry from the California Institute of Technology, and I'm currently working as a UNIX systems administrator and webmaster.
Book Reviews
I've gathered up a new shelf-full of ancient cultures and writing systems books over the past year. I'm going to be adding them in gradually into my book recommendations collection of journal posts over the coming months.
If there are any Sumerian, Akkadian, Babylonian (and/or Neo-Babylonian) experts out there, please drop me an email with the names of your favorite books on the subject!!
Reference Links
[note: I haven't link checked lately. Sorry!]
- Spherical Coordinates overview - in one of my attempts to rationalize the seven-chevron requirement, I found myself posting to a forum about spherical vs. cartesian coordinates. This site has an excellent overview of spherical coordinates, but I'm still at a loss to rationalize the familiar cube-with-six-points drawing from the show.
- ILoveLanguages - comprehensive language web guide
- Index of "The Akkadian language pages"
- Bryn Mawr Classical Review 97.6.11 - review of Gerald P. Verbrugghe and John M. Wickersham (trans.), Berossos and Manetho, Native Traditions in Ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt. Ann Arbor: University of Michgan Press, 1997. ISBN 0-472-10722-4, by Christopher T.H.R. Ehrhardt, Dunedin, New Zealand. I personally found the book very helpful and interesting, and this review does point out some of its shortcomings which put the work into better perspective.
- Ancient Egypt: The Mythology - comprehensive site
- Good books about Egypt and heiroglyphics:
- "How to read Egyptian hieroglyphs", by Collier and Manley - a friend of mine says it's good, "for a talented amateur who wants to learn to read most objects in museums"
- E. A. Wallis-Budge's version of The Book of the Dead has the heiroglyphics and the transliterations juxtaposed well. However, Budge has a reputation for being bright, enthusiastic, and relentlessly Christian-centric, so be forewarned...
- Rosalie David's "Handbook to Life in Ancient Egypt" is excellent. I borrowed and read the first third of it last weekend and need to save up to buy my own copy...
- Babylonia and Ancient Near Eastern Texts - Britannica Keyed - Comprehensive and in-depth lists of stuff I need to read more of!!
- **The Project Gutenberg Etext of The God-Idea of the Ancients** or Sex in Religion (PDF version) - this is very long, but has a few references to the Oaunes/Oannes/Omorka/Omoroka entity that I've been researching...
- Assyriology Further Reading Books - boy oh boy do I have a lot of books to track down and read... from Ashur Cherry's Ashurbanipal Website.
- Guide to the Akkadian Texts - excellent page, part of a larger alternative history site of Ian Lawton, Genesis... Caveat Emptor.
- Ancient History & Mythology: Focus on the Near East & Sumer - excellent list of links, I haven't read them all yet. Part of Janice Moore's in-depth Christian site, After Noah's Flood [World of the Seeker, Nimrod & Semiramis]
- MkzdK: Jump Start - site theorizing the "jump start" of human civilizations by aliens. Caveat Emptor... but it does have some good quotes referencing Berossus.
- Encyclopedic Theosophical Glossary - a handy quick reference, intended as "a comprehensive glossary that would define and explain the thousands of philosophical and mystical terms found in The Secret Doctrine and The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett."
- The Chaldean Legend - from the Wisdom World site of theosophy
- Another theosophy site has the Collation of Theosophical Glossaries
- The Fellowship of Isis site has the FOI Online Liturgy Booklet: Sophia, Cosmic Consciousness of the Goddess, with intriguing references at the very bottom of the ceremony page.
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