THE PYRAMIDS of the COLD • Chapter 64 How did the ancient Egyptians use flood cooling to extend the lifespan of copper drill bits and how, beyond the Was scepter, was this process glorified - Part 1 • Wadj-wer

Summary: Wadj-wer is one of those ancient Egyptian deities unknown, or almost unknown to the general public, yet among the most important of all. The ancient Egyptians did not merely embark on a remarkable scientific and technological adventure during the earliest pharaonic dynasties; they also undertook a second, extraordinary venture: leveraging all their knowledge and prowess to craft an unparalleled propaganda effort that resulted in the creation of what we now call the "ancient Egyptian religion."

All the gods, goddesses, and myths of ancient Egypt are simply mythological transpositions of their knowledge, whether regarding natural principles like water evaporation (Atum), tangible physical objects like the Great Pyramid's impactor ballast (Osiris), or, as previously seen, the glorification of the drilling tool (the Was scepter).

However, the Egyptians carried out this work in a very specific way: they often, and likely always, glorified the same thing through a multitude of different forms. This is the case here with the drill. We shall see that, long before modern times, the Egyptians employed water-cooling techniques for their drills, not only to accelerate the drilling process but also, of course, to extend the lifespan of the bits, which were made of copper or bronze and were far less durable than modern drill bits.

We will discover that the deity known as Wadj-wer was, in fact, the deification of the drill bit itself, completely enveloped in cooling water from head to toe. For it is incorrect to say that Wadj-wer represents the glorification of water itself; depictions do not show him as water, but rather covered in water from head to toe, even to the hair.

Finally, we shall see that while Wadj-wer was known as the god of the Mediterranean Sea, the Nile, or its delta, this was actually because he made the very construction of all ships possible, regardless of the seas upon which they sailed. This was because ancient Egyptian vessels were "sewn" ships, requiring the drilling of thousands, or even tens of thousands, of holes using magnificent drill bits that would rapidly oxidize, turning first green and then blue. This corrosion of the drill bits is, of course, the very origin of the name Wadj-wer, literally "the Great Green" or "the Great Blue-Green", because he was himself really a drill bit made of pure copper, or made of bronze, a copper alloy.

64.01  About the bow drill

One of the many errors made by egyptologists is having taken at face value everything the ancient Egyptians left us regarding their lost civilization. The reality is that what remains of them is merely an endless succession of metaphors in which everything that truly mattered to them was encoded, and thus concealed. The clearest proof of this is that no text or depiction has ever been discovered showing how Egyptians built the Great Pyramids, their absolute masterpieces.

If egyptologists were correct in their portrayal of ancient Egypt, as a primitive, essentially agrarian, and deeply religious civilization (in the modern sense of the word), then descriptions and depictions of the construction of these colossal structures (each of which engaged tens of thousands of workers for over twenty years) ought to be ubiquitous. Yet there is nothing; and the absence of any record detailing the pyramids' construction implies that revealing the technological secrets behind their creation to the world was simply out of the question.

In other words, what we see is either a sanitized version of events, such as the depiction of the transport of the Colossus of Djehutihotep, which omits the crucial element: the wet, hollow rails along which the transport sled's runners slid, or something entirely false. It is akin to adults telling a child who asks where babies come from that they are found in cabbage patches or delivered by storks. The work presented in The Pyramids of the Cold simply aims to get things back on the right track and reveal the extraordinary scientific, technological, and human adventure encoded within what is known today as the ancient Egyptian religion.

Do not be misled by the depiction above, showing a few workers drilling small holes with what is ultimately a very rudimentary tool; if this is presented to you without nuance, as if addressing eight-year-olds, it is because the true technological breakthrough (the one that accompanied the construction of the pyramids and their use as centers for applied research or genuine pre-industrial facilities) is being kept from you.

You are not being shown how the numerous holes found in rocks as hard as granite were actually drilled, nor how entire sections of mountains were truly cut. Sometimes, people voluntarily choose to remain eight-year-olds for their entire lives; it is now up to you to decide whether you prefer to keep listening to the pretty little 19th-century stories endlessly rehashed by egyptologists for over 200 years, or if you truly wish to take an interest in this remarkable civilization that has long since vanished.

[illustration] A mural in the tomb of Rekhmire shows several scenes representing the types of labor carried out by craftsmen who worked for the Amon Temple in Karnak. Here we see carpenters using a bow drill to make holes along the edge of a bed through which rope will be passed to weave a mattress. Rekhmire was an 18th dynasty vizier (viceroy) of Southern Egypt, mayor of Thebes and steward of the Amon Temple at Karnak during the reigns of Thutmosis III and Amenhotep II. His tomb (TT 100) is located in the Sheikh Abd el Qurnah Necropolis on the Westbank at Luxor and is one of the socalled "Tombs of the Nobles". Carpenters using a bowdrillThe Glory Of Ancient Egyptian Civilization, Nazmy K. Aziz: https://www.facebook.com/groups/487928085829929/posts/1485279016094826/

Limestone slab showing the Nile flood god Hapy (Hapi). 12th Dynasty. From the foundations of the temple of Thutmose (Tuthmosis) III, Koptos, Egypt. The Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology, London. With thanks to the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology, UCL. Photograph by Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin, FRCP (Glasgow) [here modified]: Wikipedia

64.02  Regarding the method the ancient Egyptians used to convey their ideas: how to exquisitely blend a didactic spirit with a playful one, simply by telling a short story that a child could understand

It is hard to say whether this depiction glorifies the pouring spout or the drilling bit (the Was scepter) more, but the story told here is typical of the true nature of ancient Egyptian religion: a vast collection of scientific and technological tributes.

For here, the aim is indeed to show the viewer how a simple spouted pitcher is made. The artist begins by depicting a simple pitcher without a spout (the one closest to the figure presenting the scene), followed by the spout itself (and to clearly show that the spout is pierced, a Was scepter runs right through it, the Was scepter being the glorification of the drill bit itself), and finally the pitcher with the spout integrated. It is simple, clear, precise, and effective. At the same time, this remarkable and moving depiction demonstrates once again that the Was scepter is indeed linked to the concept of making and using a simple hole. Nothing could be more natural for the Was scepter, which is nothing less than a glorification of the drilling tool.

In the next chapter, we will examine the true significance of Hapi; I will explain how the Egyptian god of the Nile flood originates precisely from the drill-cooling technique known today as "flood cooling." We will see that everything is linked and interconnected: the reason Wadj-wer and Hapi were depicted in exactly the same way in human form is that, while Wadj-wer represented the glorification of the drill bit, fully submerged in cooling and lubricating water, that very water was subsequently glorified as Hapi. Thus, in Chapter 65 of The Pyramids of the Cold, we will see that the key to understanding Hapi lies not only in the Was scepter but also in the flood-cooling technique; this method not only cools and lubricates both the drill bit and the material being drilled but also clears away the debris generated during the operation. Naturally, this concept of flushing out debris with a large volume of water is the origin of the importance attached to the famous Nile silt carried by the river's floodwaters.

Everything in Egyptian religion is essentially a reinterpretation and glorification of tangible elements, whether used by the pharaohs in this specific instance or simply known to them, as we have seen repeatedly (notably with Atum and Nut). When Atum represents the Egyptian deification of the natural process of water evaporation, its result, Nut is the deification of the evaporated water itself (Chapter 02).

On the right, here is how the ancient Egyptians depicted the bow drill in their own secretive way: they simply reversed the process by showing the bow being held by the Was scepter. In short, the Was scepter is the drilling bit. In fact, the very shape of the Was scepter is that of the drilling tool already embedded in the material: only the upper part remains visible, the portion that is not inside the material being drilled.

64.03  The problem of the durability of copper or bronze drill bits used by the ancient Egyptians: water cooling allows the drill bits to become "eternal", "everlasting"

Today, water cooling for drill bits is used only when drilling through stone or highly resistant materials, never for simple wooden planks. However, it is important to remember that the ancient Egyptians lacked drill bits made of steel, hardened steel, or even stronger metals like titanium; they appear to have had only simple bronze bits.

This obviously posed a major problem regarding both the durability of the bits and the speed of the actual drilling process. The Wadj-wer study demonstrates that the ancient Egyptians had already developed a water-cooling system for their bronze drill bits, hence his name, often translated as "eternal" or "everlasting".

“In the ancient Egyptian pantheon, there existed a plethora of gods and goddesses, each with their own unique characteristics and domains. One of the most fascinating and lesser-known deities is Wadj, the god of the Mediterranean Sea. This enigmatic figure has been shrouded in mystery for centuries, and yet, his significance in Egyptian mythology and culture cannot be overstated. Wadj’s origins are unclear, but it is believed that he emerged during the New Kingdom period (around 1550-1069 BCE). His worship was primarily confined to the Mediterranean coastal regions of Egypt, particularly in the cities of Alexandria and Tanis. The god’s name is often translated as “eternal” or “everlasting,” which may reflect his association with the eternal sea.[…] As the god of the Mediterranean Sea, Wadj was responsible for controlling the tides, protecting ships and sailors, and ensuring the fertility of the coastal regions.[…] One of Wadj’s most significant powers was his ability to calm the waves and soothe the storms. This aspect of his character was particularly important for sailors and traders who relied on the stability of the sea. In times of turmoil, Wadj’s intervention was said to bring peace and tranquility to the waters.” https://ancientegypttours.com/wadj-wer-god-of-mediterranean-sea/

[illustration] https://www.am-ind.com/resources/industrial-insights-blog/metalworking-101-intro-to-flood-coolants

The fact is that the act of completely covering a god with water, from head to toe, is a concept frequently depicted by the ancient Egyptians, as seen here in an image taken from a bas-relief at Saqqara. Relief of Merymery, from stone slabs that formed part of the wall cladding of Merymery's burial chapel in Saqqara. ”In the upper left, the god Anubis, or a priest with an Anubis mask, holds the mummy upright. A sem-priest with a leopard skin sprinkles the body with water. This is part of the mouth-opening ritual, in which the deceased regained the use of his bodily functions. During the day, the deceased could then leave the tomb in the form of the soul-bird ba and return in the evening.” https://www.rmo.nl/collectie/collectiezoeker/collectiestuk/?object=22659

64.04  About the ability for a mummy to withstand the passage of time and endure for eternity, simply because of some kind of magical transfer of abilities

We can now grasp the profound significance of the above ceremony regarding the deceased pharaoh, which involves dousing a mummy with water from head to toe: by combining the immense cooling power of the water used for the drilling bit with the mummy itself, the aim is to endow the mummy, and thus the deceased pharaoh, with the ability to withstand the passage of time and endure for eternity.

Relief of ancient Egyptian divinities in King Sahure's pyramid temple, Abusir; Old Kingdom, Dynasty 5. Wadj-wer is on the far left of the relief with the body covered with the sign for water. Publication of Nazmy K. Aziz at The Glory Of Ancient Egyptian Civilization: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10224003137425925&set=pcb.1499984114624316

64.05  The wrong academic explanations about Wadj-wer: no, Wadj-wer isn't the glorification of the Mediterranean Sea, and he is not about the Nile delta either

One of the greatest challenges in deciphering Egyptian deities arises when, after roughly grasping the true nature of a specific god or goddess, one attempts to define them with precision. This is precisely what happened with Wadj-wer. Since Wadj-wer was depicted entirely painted in blue, with water symbolism omnipresent, I initially assumed the deity was associated with water, and, based on an understanding of the offering table and the Was scepter, I naturally concluded that Wadj-wer was the deification of the coolant used in the stone-drilling process.

However, this was entirely inconsistent with the actual meaning of the name Wadj-wer, "The Great Green." Contrary to what egyptologists might think, it is total nonsense to associate this green (or blue-green) color with water, whether from the Mediterranean, the Nile, its delta, or anywhere else. Yet the solution was there all along: look closely at the Abusir relief, and you will realize the artist’s intention was not to show Wadj-wer as water, but rather completely covered in it, from head to toe.

And therein lies the solution. If Wadj-wer is covered in water from head to toe, it implies that Wadj-wer represents the deification of the section of the drill bit that becomes completely submerged in the coolant sprayed onto the drilling tip. Naturally, it was because this bit was made of bronze that Wadj-wer was known as "The Great Green" or "The Great Blue-Green." The wick, constantly drenched in water, oxidized and corroded, naturally taking on the characteristic blue-green color of copper patinated by oxidation.

“Wadj Wer was a fertility god who's name means "Great Green". His origins were probably either off Egypt's Mediterranean coast or along the major lagoos of the Nile Delta such as at Lake Mariut, Idku, Burullus and Mazala. As early as the Old Kingdom this deity is shown in a relief from the pyramid site of Abusir. He proceeds among the fecundity figures, carrying an offering loaf on a mat and with symbols of life (the "ankh" sign) suspended from his arm. Under his androgynous form with an emphasized breast and a belly indicative of pregnancy, Wadi Wer is clearly associated with procreation and prosperity. Water signs are carved across his body suggesting the rich fishing in the Delta lakes.” https://www.touregypt.net/godsofegypt/wadjwer.htm

[illustration] "Egyptian god Wadj-wer (or Waz-wer), fertility & Mediterranean Sea god, from Sahura temple in Abuseer." https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fichier:Wadj-Wer.JPG

What is known as the "offering table" is simply the drilling plate used with a drill bit; this is why the Was scepter appears to pass entirely through the plate. Image by LY GROUP, China: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ld4dHDQvwR8

64.06  The true nature of the so-called "offering table" is that of a drilling plate; to allow for the efficient drainage of cooling water, this plate must be inclined

If the Was scepters are depicted as so large here, it is certainly primarily to serve as a perfect reference for verticality, as if the scepters were a plumb line. But of course, what was crucial to show clearly was that the drilling table had to have a slight slope, so as to effectively drain away the cooling water. Naturally, this cooling water flowing beneath the drilling table is none other than the Ankh symbol itself.

“In industrial machining environments, the integration of workholding devices like vises with flood cooling systems requires careful consideration of drainage and fluid management. When using flood coolant—which involves a continuous, high-volume flow of liquid to dissipate heat and clear chips—the work surface or the machine table must be engineered to handle the resulting runoff.

Vises used in conjunction with flood cooling systems are typically mounted on machine tables or specialized fixtures that incorporate integrated drainage channels or are designed with a specific slope to direct the fluid toward a collection sump. While the vise itself is a mechanical clamping tool, its placement is critical; if the machine table lacks a sufficient slope, operators often utilize custom-fabricated splash guards or angled mounting plates to ensure that the 100%  of the coolant volume is directed away from the operator and back into the drainage system.”

Source IAsk AI : https://iask.ai/q/machining-vise-flood-coolant-drainage-slope-best-practices-oq8mdjo

Observe closely how all the Was scepters appear to be arranged to indicate perfect verticality; they are all very tall, perfectly vertical, and perfectly parallel to one another. Now, look closely at how all the "offering tables" are also parallel to each other and positioned at a significant angle to the horizontal plane. This slope is characteristic of a drilling table, it allows for the efficient drainage of the cooling water used during the drilling process. Photograph OutoftheTombs, by TN_Egyptologist: https://www.reddit.com/r/OutoftheTombs/comments/wo9viw/a_lady_in_a_green_dress/

The same slope of the so-called “offering plate” is present on all the plates. Relief of ancient Egyptian divinities in King Sahure's pyramid temple, Abusir; Old Kingdom, Dynasty 5. Publication of Nazmy K. Aziz at The Glory Of Ancient Egyptian Civilization: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=10224003145026115&set=pcb.1499984114624316

Observe closely how the object interpreted by egyptologists as an offering (red arrow) is consistently depicted almost touching the Was scepter (blue arrow). This so-called "offering" is obviously nothing other than the spray nozzle that delivers cooling water with great precision directly onto the drilling tool.

64.07  In what universe could the offering presented by Wadj-wer, the "god of the sea," be a simple loaf of bread?

In Wadj-wer, we find a perfect illustration of what might be described as a major misconception still held by egyptologists today. They confidently assert that Wadj-wer represents the Mediterranean Sea or the Nile (either the river itself or its delta), a claim that already speaks volumes about their level of understanding regarding the deity (how could one possibly confuse or equate the Mediterranean with a river?). Yet, what they insist upon most is that, in the famous bas-reliefs at Abusir, the god is presenting an offering that turns out to be a loaf of bread; but maybe there is seafood inside?

If Wadj-wer were truly the god of the Mediterranean or an aspect of the Nile, wouldn't you expect his offering to be a fish, or something else related to these waters?

The amusing part is that, in addition to having worked as a winemaker for several years (holding the National Diploma in Oenology from the Montpellier Faculty of Pharmacy, 1998), I also hold a professional qualification in baking (CAP Boulanger-Patissier from the National Baking Institute in Rouen, INBP 2003); so, when I hear that what Wadj-wer is holding is a loaf of bread, I burst out laughing! Did you really look at that “loaf”? Have you ever seen a loaf of bread that looks like this one? Or perhaps it’s a French brioche with succulent praline almonds? Maybe a German kouglof or an Italian panettone?

But let us set aside the loaf of bread, for a so-called god of the sea or the Nile offering bread simply makes very little sense. As I have said before, I know that egyptologists today remain somewhat hamstrung, compelled to perpetuate the interpretations of the very first egyptologists from the early 19th century, so I do not really blame them.

However, when the leading figures among academic egyptologists finally decide to break that link and stop constantly relying on pure philosophical or funerary terminology to describe something that is, in reality, far removed from such concepts, then a new Egyptology can finally emerge, one capable of truly deciphering the magnificent ancient Egyptian pharaonic civilization. How long it will take is ultimately the only real question that matters today.

Note once again, first, the extremely distinctive shape of the offering presented by the Green Lady, and then the meticulous care taken to position this element right up against the Was scepter.

Finally, you will notice that the ancient Egyptians actually went to great lengths to depict everything, albeit in a disguised manner; they needed to show everything, yet simultaneously conceal it so that only the initiated could truly grasp the subject of the bas-relief. In particular, conveying coolant to the drill bit required conduits, and indeed, they are present too: that "ladder" located to the right of the Green Lady is made of pipes. Naturally, these were made of copper, so the ladder was painted green as well because of the oxidation. Don't forget: all Egyptian bas-reliefs are, above all, didactic works.

“In depictions of Wadj-wer from Old Kingdom reliefs, such as those in the mortuary temple of Sahure at Abusir, the deity commonly holds an offering loaf of bread on a mat, symbolizing sustenance and fertility, and has an ankh suspended from one arm, representing eternal life. These attributes underscore themes of nourishment and perpetuity, aligning with Wadj-wer's role as a provider of abundance from watery realms.” https://grokipedia.com/page/Wadj-wer

[illustration] “A relief from Sahures cult temple at Abusir showing the female personification of fertile estates wearing a green dress. She offers a loaf on a mat, the hieroglyphic sign for hetep ( offering ) and three ankh cords are hanging down. The divine nature of the personifications is marked by the scepters they all hold and by the curled ceremonial beards of the male figures.” https://www.reddit.com/r/OutoftheTombs/comments/wo9viw/a_lady_in_a_green_dress/

The "offering" is clearly the mechanism for delivering cooling water to the drilling bit, specifically, the nozzle that pours the cooling water as close as possible to the bit. [illustration] cutting marble using water cooling, by HRST Stone: https://www.quartzite-stone.com/cnc-curved-marble-panels-cutting-methods/

64.08  The curious and unique "loaf" or "offering" on the "offering table" that seems to touch the Was scepter is nothing other than the nozzle that is delivering the cooling water for the drill bit: it is a simple spout

One of the many details regarding this bas-relief that seems to interest no one is the curious connection between the Was scepter on one side and what is presented as a "loaf", or more generally, an "offering", on the other. Why was it so important to clearly show these two elements in such close proximity? Why do we see not only a Was scepter passing right through a so-called offering table, but also a single offering on that table that appears to be attached to the scepter itself? Has no one ever remarked that a single loaf of bread per offering table seems rather meager for demonstrating any form of veneration?

Of course, once the true intent of the relief, the actual hidden meaning of the scene, is grasped, it becomes easy to understand what is really going on: the "offering" is clearly the mechanism for delivering cooling water to the drilling bit, specifically, the nozzle that pours the cooling water as close as possible to the bit.

Copper patina on a corroded pipe: greenenergymech.com/blog/is-green-corrosion-on-copper-pipes-dangerous/

64.09  The true meaning of the "Great Green" or "Great Blue-Green" name of Wadj-wer is about the blue-green patina characteristic of corroded copper pipes

So, the "official" version, if one can call it that, is that Wadj-wer is supposed to be the god of the Mediterranean, or the god of a certain type of body of water such as the Nile, the Nile Delta, the Red Sea, or even, according to some authors, a lagoon. Yet, we shall see that not only was his offering nothing more than a loaf of bread, but he was also referred to as the "Great Green." We are dealing, then, with the god of a body of water whose green color egyptologists have no trouble justifying! My friends, if there is one thing you can be certain of, it is that the Mediterranean, like all the world's other great seas, has always been known in one way or another as the "Great Blue," not the "Great Green." But then again, a true egyptologist likely views Earth more as the "Green Planet" than as the "Blue Planet."

Wadj-wer is most often described as the "Great Green," but this is a simplified version of his name's true meaning; the full sense of "Wadj-wer" refers not to the color green, but to a blue-green hue. Wadj-wer was, in fact, the Great Blue-Green.

Of course, while the ancient Egyptians faced no major technical difficulties in creating their own version of a genuine water-cooled drilling rig, they lacked the advantage of modern materials—particularly for the pipes supplying the cooling water. The fact that Wadj-wer was referred to as the "Great Blue-Green" actually suggests they simply used thin copper tubes that could be bent at will to perfectly position the nozzle directly over the drill bit. Inevitably, in such an extremely humid environment, these copper pipes oxidized and very quickly took on a beautiful blue-green hue.

“Wadj Wer was a fertility god who's name means "Great Green". His origins were probably either off Egypt's Mediterranean coast or along the major lagoos of the Nile Delta such as at Lake Mariut, Idku, Burullus and Mazala. As early as the Old Kingdom this deity is shown in a relief from the pyramid site of Abusir. He proceeds among the fecundity figures, carrying an offering loaf on a mat and with symbols of life (the "ankh" sign) suspended from his arm. Under his androgynous form with an emphasized breast and a belly indicative of pregnancy, Wadi Wer is clearly associated with procreation and prosperity. Water signs are carved across his body suggesting the rich fishing in the Delta lakes.” https://www.touregypt.net/godsofegypt/wadjwer.htm

“It was commonly believed that Wadj-wer was a personification of the Mediterranean Sea; however, it is apparently more likely that he rather represented the lagoons and lakes in the northernmost Nile Delta, as suggested by some texts describing the “great green” as dry lands which could be crossed by foot, possibly a mention of the edge between two or more lakes.” https://thecomradegeneral.wordpress.com/2021/04/09/the-great-blue-green-ones

“Wadj-wer (meaning "Great Blue-Green") is an Egyptian god of fertility. Wadj-wer is sometimes shown as being part male and part female. He is seen as the personification of the Mediterranean Sea or some of the big lakes in the Nile Delta. He is often shown holding a ankh and a loaf. He is also shown to be pregnant, and he symbolizes the richness of the waters of the Nile delta.” https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wadj-wer

[illustration] 3 Easy Ways to Make Copper Patina (Green Verdigris with Household Ingredients!), by Rubin and Ed from frugalfamilytimes: https://www.frugalfamilytimes.com/how-to-turn-copper-green-patina/

The fact that Wadj-wer was referred to as the "Great Blue-Green" actually suggests they simply used thin copper tubes that could be bent at will to perfectly position the nozzle directly over the drill bit. Inevitably, in such an extremely humid environment, these copper pipes oxidized and very quickly took on a beautiful blue-green hue. [Relief of ancient Egyptian divinities in King Sahure's pyramid temple, Abusir; Old Kingdom, Dynasty 5] Publication of Nazmy K. Aziz at The Glory Of Ancient Egyptian Civilization: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10224003137425925&set=pcb.1499984114624316

“Verdigris is a common name for any of a variety of somewhat toxic copper salts of acetic acid, which range in colour from green to a bluish-green depending on their chemical composition.  Once used as a medicine and pharmaceutical preparation, verdigris occurs naturally, creating a patina on copper, bronze, and brass, and is the main component of a historic green pigment used for artistic purposes from antiquity until the late 20th century, including in easel painting, polychromatic sculptures, and illumination of maps.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verdigris

[illustration] corroded copper pipes showing natural blue-green “verdigris” patina: https://propercopperdesign.com/blogs/news/mastering-verdigris

“Carpenter Murat Tosun, one of Osman Erkurt trusted assistants, tighten the ligatures of a "sewn" planking of a conjectural reconstruction of Cycladic boats, in Osman Erkurt's workshop”. Photograph by Piero Castellano: https://www.lightrocket.com/galleries/30976/experimental-archaeologist-rebuilds-ancient-ships

64.10 The true reason Wadj-wer was known as the god of the Mediterranean Sea, the Nile Delta, the Red Sea, lagoons and lakes is that he was the god of the drilling tool that made it possible to construct the very boats that sailed all those waters

The boats used in ancient Egypt were all "sewn" vessels; consequently, thousands, or even tens of thousands, of holes had to be drilled to allow ropes to lash the planks together and create a seaworthy craft.

Since Wadj-Wer represented the glorification and deification of the tool used to make these thousands of holes to make boats, he quite naturally became the god of fishermen and all sailors, and of all the seas, rivers, and lagoons where they sailed. Today, egyptologists disagree on whether Wadj-wer is the god of the Mediterranean Sea, the Nile, its Delta, or even the Red Sea; interestingly, in a sense, they are all somewhat right.

In reality, whenever a fisherman or sailor stepped onto one of those ancient sewn boats, constructed by stitching together wooden planks that had been drilled with holes, they inevitably placed themselves under the authority of Wadj-wer, the very figure responsible for making those holes.

“It was commonly believed that Wadj-wer was a personification of the Mediterranean Sea; however, it is apparently more likely that he rather represented the lagoons and lakes in the northernmost Nile Delta, as suggested by some texts describing the “great green” as dry lands which could be crossed by foot, possibly a mention of the edge between two or more lakes.” https://thecomradegeneral.wordpress.com/2021/04/09/the-great-blue-green-ones

“Wadj-wer (meaning "Great Blue-Green") is an Egyptian god of fertility. Wadj-wer is sometimes shown as being part male and part female. He is seen as the personification of the Mediterranean Sea or some of the big lakes in the Nile Delta. He is often shown holding a ankh and a loaf. He is also shown to be pregnant, and he symbolizes the richness of the waters of the Nile delta.” https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wadj-wer

“In the ancient Egyptian pantheon, there existed a plethora of gods and goddesses, each with their own unique characteristics and domains. One of the most fascinating and lesser-known deities is Wadj, the god of the Mediterranean Sea. This enigmatic figure has been shrouded in mystery for centuries, and yet, his significance in Egyptian mythology and culture cannot be overstated. Wadj’s origins are unclear, but it is believed that he emerged during the New Kingdom period (around 1550-1069 BCE). His worship was primarily confined to the Mediterranean coastal regions of Egypt, particularly in the cities of Alexandria and Tanis. The god’s name is often translated as “eternal” or “everlasting,” which may reflect his association with the eternal sea.[…] As the god of the Mediterranean Sea, Wadj was responsible for controlling the tides, protecting ships and sailors, and ensuring the fertility of the coastal regions.[…] One of Wadj’s most significant powers was his ability to calm the waves and soothe the storms. This aspect of his character was particularly important for sailors and traders who relied on the stability of the sea. In times of turmoil, Wadj’s intervention was said to bring peace and tranquility to the waters.” https://ancientegypttours.com/wadj-wer-god-of-mediterranean-sea/

Model of the Khufu ship in the Giza Solar boat museum, with the deck removed, showing the rope stitching that holds the planks together. Photo by WLU: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khufu_ship#/media/File:Giseh_Sonnenbarke_07.jpg

64.11  About Wadj-wer and the "dry lands which could be crossed by foot"

I have certainly said this many times before, but anyone who truly wishes to understand the ancient Egyptians must grasp one absolutely essential fact: beyond nearly reaching the critical threshold of scientific and technological development that led to the Industrial Revolution in the West, the Egyptians were also masters of the most sophisticated intellectual construct a civilization had ever devised, specifically, the metaphorical and metaphysical transposition of their knowledge into the creation of their religion.

One point deserves particular emphasis, and it can be summed up in a single adjective: playful. The ancient Egyptians were playful. They loved to play with words, ideas, metaphors, and rebuses.

We have a perfect example of this with Wadj-wer and the mention of "dry lands which could be crossed on foot," for the reason behind this differs entirely from the one proposed by egyptologists; it has nothing to do with a specific territory ruled by this deity, or some part of a delta that would periodically dry up. Here, the Egyptians were simply playing with words. The sole reason for this mention is that, because Egyptian boats were constructed from sewn planks, they could easily be dismantled on the bank of a body of water, transported overland to another, and then reassembled for use. Everyone has heard of this extraordinary method, which prevented the Egyptians from being stranded on any single body of water; it allowed them to move between seas, rivers, and other waterways with ease. That is the true meaning behind the reference to "dry lands which could be crossed on foot."

It is because the wooden planks were merely sewn together, and it was Wadj-wer who had drilled each of these holes therby making this technological feat possible.

“It was commonly believed that Wadj-wer was a personification of the Mediterranean Sea; however, it is apparently more likely that he rather represented the lagoons and lakes in the northernmost Nile Delta, as suggested by some texts describing the “great green” as dry lands which could be crossed by foot, possibly a mention of the edge between two or more lakes.” https://thecomradegeneral.wordpress.com/2021/04/09/the-great-blue-green-ones

[illustration] The Khufu ship, a full-size solar barque, here at the Giza Solar boat museum, was a sewn boat. Photograph by Olaf Tausch: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khufu_ship#/media/File:Giseh_Sonnenbarke_07.jpg

High volume low pressure flood cooling, by Piotr Fox Wysocki: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcC-34prNNY

64.12  The dripping of the cooling water underneath the drilling table: the Ankh symbol is indeed about cooling water

Now, you might say to me: "That contraption of yours is all very well, but if there is no loaf of bread or offering table, and the whole thing is about water being poured onto a drill bit, then where is that water?"

The answer is simple: that cooling water is dripping everywhere and falling off the drilling table. Look closely at the scene, and you will realize that to represent this cooling and lubricating water, the artist placed Ankh crosses beneath the table, suspended from it.

Of course, this confirms the hypothesis I had put forward several years earlier after studying bas-reliefs depicting Akhenaten offering Ankh crosses to the hands at the ends of the sun's rays: if there are hands at the ends of those sunbeams, it means the rays are capable of touch, implying they represent the heat emitted by the sun striking people and the landscape (if the rays merely represented light, there would be no hands at their tips). Therefore, since the sun represents heat, what Akhenaten is offering is coldness, in order to restore the balance so cherished by the ancient Egyptians.

Here, then, we find Ankh crosses again, and their meaning is the same as in the Akhenaten depictions: they represent the cooling water for the drill bit as it flows down from the drilling table. See the chapter that deals with Akhenaten.

Akhenaten and Neferiti making offerings to Aten. Painted limestone. From Akhetaten (Tell el-Amarna). Now in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo. JE 65041 : https://x.com/egyptomuseum/status/1959336289238450388/photo/1

The Sabu disk was almost certainly manufactured primarily using a powerful, efficient, liquid-cooled drilling tool that also provided lubrication for the tool itself. Most probably the Sabu disk was designed as a crucial component in an ancient chemical manufacturing process, specifically for the production of sodium carbonate (natron) and sodium bicarbonate using a Solvay-like process. See Chapter 49 that deals with the Sabu disk. According to this highly probable hypothesis, the Sabu disk functioned as a stationary dome-shaped, perforated plate for counterflow chemical reactions, set inside individual protective chambers within larger industrial setups, possibly stacked in towers. [The Sabu disk, Egyptian Museum in Cairo] photograph by Martin1833: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Disk_of_Sabu.jpg

"Lost Ancient Technology Of Egypt: Curious Drill Holes In Stone", various photographs from Hidden Inca Tours: https://hiddenincatours.com/lost-ancient-technology-of-egypt-curious-drill-holes-in-stone/

64.13  About the importance that the drilling process took for the ancient Egyptians, in so many fields

I am writing this chapter, in late June 2026, about Wadj-wer and the ultimately extremely low-tech process of water-cooling the drill bit (which naturally generates a great deal of heat). I must admit that, despite spending over five years studying the Great Pyramid's flash-evaporative cooling system, I was simply not prepared to fully grasp the extraordinary paradigm shift that the development of such a water-cooled drilling system represented for the ancient Egyptians. This applies whether for joining wooden parts, such as in the construction of sewn boats, or metal components (riveting predates the Pharaonic era and requires the drilling of numerous precision holes), or, of course, for drilling stone; indeed, holes drilled into limestone or granite have been found all over Egypt, executed with an efficiency rivaling that of modern mechanized tools.

“Egyptologists have done an amazing job of piecing together the history of Dynastic Egypt, but what they have failed to properly explain are the presence of certain anomalies, such as drill holes that we find in profusion, in hard stone such as rose granite (above) at many of the ancient sites.” https://hiddenincatours.com/egyptian-core-drill-holes-in-stone-evidence-of-machining-before-the-pharaohs/

In short, the invention, not merely of the drill bit itself, but of the entire system for cooling and lubricating it with a liquid (almost certainly an emulsion of oil and water), surely constituted one of the major technological revolutions that enabled the Egyptians to reach a level of development likely comparable to that of the West in the early 19th century. There is a certain irony in the fact that it was precisely those Westerners of the early 19th century who first attempted to revive a civilization that had possessed a level of development remarkably similar to their own.

For the ancient Egyptians, who had only recently entered the Bronze Age, a powerful, efficient, and durable drilling tool surely represented one of the most significant technological revolutions of their era. Such a tool, whether or not it was used in conjunction with a cooling and lubricating fluid, would have revolutionized fields ranging from joinery, carpentry, and shipbuilding to stonework itself. Indeed, an object as fascinating in its design as the Sabu disk was almost certainly crafted largely thanks to such a drilling system; the technology was likely far more sophisticated than one might imagine, bearing a surprising resemblance to comparable modern tools.

[illustration] Screenshot from "Evidence Of Ancient Cataclysm And Advanced Stone Machining In Egypt: Abu Ghurab". Video by Brien Foerster: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPjtdfifsuk

64.14  The vision of ancient Egypt that emerged in the 19th century and which is still propagated and taught today is completely erroneous: what the Egyptians worshipped was only themselves

Here is an excerpt from a text by Joshua J. Mark regarding Wadj-wer (or Uat-Ur, an alternative spelling of the god's name). This text is fascinating because it perfectly illustrates the old way of viewing the ancient Egyptians, a completely erroneous perspective fabricated from scratch by early 19th-century egyptologists based on false preconceptions. These views reflected the Western white civilization of the early 1800s, and, it must be said, were undoubtedly steeped in both racism and extreme condescension.

No, the ancient Egyptians did not worship everything around them, nor did they attribute it all to divine intervention. What the Egyptians worshipped was themselves.

All their gods and goddesses were merely glorifications of themselves, of their ingenuity and their ability to control and master nature and the elements through their scientific, medical, and technological knowledge. Clearly, the entire field of Egyptology needs to be rewritten from the ground up. It is evident that the entire field of Egyptology needs to be completely rethought and that all ties to the outdated ideology of the 19th century must be severed.

“Uat-Ur may not have played an important role in Egyptian beliefs but it was still personified as a living being. To the Egyptians, the whole world was alive with the spirit imbued by the gods and every tree or breeze, every place by a flowing stream, was a gift the gods had given and could also live in. The Mediterranean was not seen as simply a body of water but as a living entity with a personal name, Uat-Ur, because all of the world was alive with the spirit of creation to the ancient Egyptians. Even though they were not the great seafarers or explorers that the Greeks were, they still honored the sea with recognition and respect as another aspect of the world created and sustained by the gods.” Joshua J. Mark, at https://www.worldhistory.org/Uat-Ur/

[illustration] “Stupid Black Men. How to Play the Race Card and Lose”, Macmillan Publishers, by Larry Elder: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781429929059/stupidblackmen

In the upcoming Chapter 66, we will see how the ancient Egyptians also glorified and deified the actual cooling and lubricating water supply system associated with the drilling tool Wadj-wer by creating Wadjet and Nekhbet; Wadjet (Wadj-et) represents the deified image of the supply nozzle, while Nekhbet represents the small pipe feeding that nozzle.

We will also see through Wadj-et and her famous nourishing milk, that the ancient Egyptians' coolant was far more than just water; they added oil to it, much as we do today, to ensure proper lubrication of the drilling tool. Indeed, this type of drilling fluid is actually an emulsion that bears a striking resemblance to milk, that cools and lubricate all at the same time.

We shall see how two elements so vital to Egyptian civilization were frequently depicted in the guise of vultures and serpents: the nozzle and its supply line appeared to hover over the drill bit, much like a vulture circling its prey, yet simultaneously delivered coolant, resembling a serpent reared up on its tail, poised to spit its venom.

[illustration of Wadjet and Nekhbet with their breasts prominently displayed] Pharoah Ptolemy VIII between the goddesses Wadjet (symbolizing upper egypt) and Nekhbet (symbolizing lower Egypt). Bas-relief on wall of Temple of Edfu, Egypt. Photograph by Olaf Tausch: https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fichier:Edfu_Tempel_42.jpg

The nozzle and its supply line appeared to hover over the drill bit, much like a vulture circling its prey, yet simultaneously delivered coolant above the head of the drilling tool (look on the above photograph of Wadjet and Nekhbet, appearing so concerned about the pharaoh's head), resembling a serpent reared up on its tail, poised to spit its venom.

Preface

Previous chapter

Next chapter

Table of contents

Chapter 33 (the sewn boats)

Chapter 34 (the Was scepter)

Chapter 49 (the Sabu disk)

Operating diagrams of the Great Pyramid

Timelines           Index