Before the Pharaohs: Egypt's Mysterious Prehistory

How old is the Sphinx? What was the Great Pyramid designed to be? I have never heard of Nabta Playa, but why would an astrophysicist claim that its megaliths were designed as a star map depicting the movements of the constellation Orion? And, over a 10,000 year period! These questions and more are addressed in this book, not in a dogmatic, close-minded way but honest and to the point. The Sphinx, for example, according to what I learned in school was made at the beginning of ancient Egypt's civilization, 5,000 years ago. However, according to geology, the erosion indicates that it is much older. Not being gullible, I thought this was a little `out there.' However, the author surveys various erosion rates from scientific sources and shows that if the Sphinx is only 5,000 years old the force of water would have to match that of Niagara Falls in order erode the Sphinx and the surrounding rock. Another example, the Great Pyramid, is said to have been a tomb. But a tomb explanation falls way short of explaining the unique design of its internal chambers. As he does earlier in the work of John West and Robert Schoch in the case of the Sphinx, here, the author supports the work of Christopher Dunn and believes the Great Pyramid was a machine designed to produce energy. (If you want to read more on this subject get `The Giza Power Plant' and `Seed of Knowledge-Stone of Plenty.') This book is a big picture approach bringing together points of view from various researchers to paint a picture of prehistory. Books are my business so I read a lot of books. This is one of the best, and to the best of my knowledge the only digest of West and Schoch's theory of a prehistoric Sphinx. John West himself called this book "thoroughly enjoyable" and that the author makes "daunting and technical information accessible and readable." I agree.

A well written, easy to read manuscript. This book takes an expanded view of the many pervasive cultures and peoples which eventually led to the formation of Egypt. I would recommend this book to anyone desiring a better understanding of Egypt's pre-history.

The previous reviewer had a very reasonable complaint that the book was difficult to wade through because of the sheer volume of material devoted to seemingly irrelevant evidence. I would counter that many of the other books which delve into the prehistory of Egypt are sorely lacking in evidence. Saying something like "Aliens from Atlantis founded Egypt" would need a LOT of evidence to back it up, but a book which claims that would likely never go there. All of Malkowski's evidence may be difficult to wade through, but IMHO it's necessary if you're looking for a solid argument rather than a flight of fancy. Malkowski's book is also one of the few that begins to make sense of the mysterious prehistory of ancient Egypt and its environs (like Nabta Playa). His conclusion that a Cro-Magnon civilization preceded that of Egypt by thousands of years would be a flight of fancy, were it not for the volume of evidence he presents.

Very well researched and very well written book. I would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in the subject.

I had just come back from a trip to Egypt when I ordered this book. This book is for those genuinely interested in delving into the roots of an ancient civilisation. Its not a novel - so please don't insult the author by judging it as "slow" as has been stated in another review. Its an oustandingly well-researched, fascinating and thought-provoking study for those who have so often wondered about the origins and amazing feats of engineering of the ancient Egyptians. Malkowski is a meticulous writer who takes enormous trouble to try to clarify the origins our human history and the links between ancient civilisations and gives us the chance to make up our own minds. He forces nothing upon the reader - but dangles fascinating and seductive pieces of information which will leave you wishing for more.