One Egyptian, Two Egyptians
Hello, and welcome back from last week's post regarding the discovery of Egyptian artifacts from Russell E. Burrows's cave in the small town of Olney, Illinois. Yes, the Egyptians spent time in the land of Lincoln. However, today, I will share another story about two explorers finding Egyptian relics in Arizona.
According to an article published in the Arizona Gazette on April 5, 1909, the two archaeologists claimed to have found a series of hidden tunnels under the Marble Canyon region of the Grand Canyon that contained hundreds of Egyptian artifacts dating back to the era of the ancient Egyptian king Ramses, somewhere around 1250 BC1. The article also claimed that the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, was sponsoring the expedition and that the discoveries made by the archaeologists were of immense historical significance.
Professors S.A. Jordan and G.E. Kincaid are two prominent figures who discovered Egyptian artifacts in the Grand Canyon. According to popular folklore, the two academics found a cave system in the El Tovar Crystal Canyon in the early 20th century.
The men had told reporters that the cave contained ancient Egyptian relics, including mummies, tablets, and artifacts.
Lost Treasures
The story of Jordan and Kincaid's discovery started in the early 1900s when both men were reportedly exploring the Grand Canyon in search of minerals and other natural resources. As a result, the men got to work quickly to beat an upcoming federal
law that would make the Grand Canyon a national park and off-limits to mining operations. According to some accounts, the men saw a set of numerous stairs, 100s of them carved into the sandstone cliff. So, the men climbed the stair system and found a shelf with a cavern entrance that was clearly man-made. Consequently, the two entered and stumbled upon a cave system that contained numerous chambers and passages, some of which had ancient artifacts and relics.
A City beneath You
Furthermore, the team found an underground network of tunnels high above the Colorado River, containing various ancient artifacts, statues, seeds, a dining hall, and even mummies. A significant discovery, no doubt about it. Impossible to slip off the archaeological radar. Kincaid estimated that 50,000 people inhabited this structure. As they continued their trek, they found a vast room with all kinds of copper tools. A rare sight, as this was advanced in the knowledge of the lost art of hardening this metal, even to this day.
Jordan and Kincaid stumbled upon an entire city, not just some cave. The two men knew they needed more help and money for a proper archeological dig. So, they contacted the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC, for help. According to the article, the Smithsonian agreed. More on this in a moment.
One of the most mesmerizing aspects of the story is the presence of Egyptian artifacts in the Arizona cave system. While many experts have dismissed the notion that the ancient Egyptians could have traveled to North America, proponents of the theory argue that the presence of Egyptian-style hieroglyphics and other artifacts in the Grand Canyon proves that an ancient civilization did, in fact, make the journey.
Tell me if you've Heard the one before
However, it is essential to note that currently, there is little evidence to support this theory, and many experts in archaeology and history have dismissed it as a myth. In fact, many of the claims made by proponents of the theory are speculation and conjecture rather than concrete facts. Or is there more information than has been revealed?
For example, many have pointed to the similarities between the hieroglyphics found in the Grand Canyon and those used by the ancient Egyptians. Still, some say these similarities could be coincidental or the result of an unrelated influence. Similarly, the presence of mummies and other artifacts could result from a burial site established by Native Americans rather than the work of ancient Egyptian explorers.
Despite these challenges, however, the story of Jordan and Kincaid and their discovery remains a popular topic of discussion and debate among enthusiasts and skeptics alike. Part of the reason for this is the fact that the story is so compelling and suggests the possibility of a long-lost civilization that predates the arrival of Europeans in North America.
Who are We?
Another reason for the continued interest in the story is the fact that it touches on some of the fundamental questions that have driven human curiosity for centuries. Who were the ancient peoples that lived on this continent before the arrival of Europeans, and what happened to them? Did they have contact with other cultures from around the world, and if so, what was the nature of that contact? What can we learn about our past by studying the artifacts and relics left behind by these ancient civilizations?
Most importantly, let's return to the presence of the Smithsonian Institution and its connection to this fantastic discovery. According to the article, Jordan and Kincaid sent samples of the artifacts and notes of the cave system. The Smithsonian agreed and sent money and workforce. One of the main discoveries was that the cave system was symmetrical with a deliberate design. Above all, the tunnels led to a central area containing a statue of what looks like Buddha. The figure is sitting cross-legged and holding a lotus flower in each hand. The facial features are Asian, and the central area looks like a worship area that resembles ancient Tibet.
They left us clues
Finally, mysterious hieroglyphic writing was present on all the urns, walls, doorways, and tablets. After further investigation, it appears that similar hieroglyphics appear throughout southern Arizona. Among the particular writings, only two animals appear. One is a prehistoric type. Jordan and Kincaid concluded that this was an advanced civilization, and based on the timeline they constructed, they were centuries ahead of the Native American people. Kincaid requested more money and workers from the Smithsonian to investigate a link between Asian cultures and this "new" lost civilization. His request was denied, and the two men were never heard from again.
As I investigated this story, I wanted to learn more about these two men. As a result, I found out that there is no record of Professor S.A. Jordan or G.E. Kinkaid ever being employed or associated with the Smithsonian Institution. So, I wanted to see what activity was happening at this "supposed" site of the Egyptian stairs and cave system. Here is what Kincaid stated in his interview: The entrance is nearly inaccessible; it is
1,486 ft down a sheer canyon wall and located on government land. No visitors are allowed there under penalty of trespass.
The fine Print
Curious restrictions exist within the lengthy and hard-to-understand legal restrictive language of the Grand Canyon National Park (GCNP) forbidden zone. The GCNP is closed to public use or is restricted by specific activities and/or specific times for specific activities: Hopi Fire Tower and Access Road, Maricopa Point Endangered Plant Area, Hopi Salt Mines, extending from river mile 62 to river mile 62.5 on the southeast side of the Colorado River (precisely where the Kincaid or Egyptian cave landmarks are located), Hance mine South of Hance Rapid, Furnace Flats from 71.0 to mile 71.3 on the north side of the Colorado River, and the Anasazi Bridge."
As if these restricted areas were not suspicious enough, 1987 legislation prohibits the airspace over the canyon along with only two other National Parks, Yosemite, and Haleakala, supposedly to "provide for substantial restoration of the natural quiet and experience of the park and protection of public health and safety from adverse effects associated with aircraft overflight."
Over the past 100 years, a thousand caves have been discovered, many of them man-made, and only 30 of them have been sealed for your safety. The authorities say they are protecting bat species and don't want the area disturbed. Consequently, those that do try to find the lost city risk getting caught immediately by authorities. Witnesses say that a black Appatchie helicopter is immediately deployed, pushing would-be trespassers back to the open park area.
Is this all just Random?
Lastly, many rock formations in the GCNP have names linked to Hindu deities and Egyptian monuments. For example, the Tower of Set, Horus, The Cheops Pyramid, The Buddha Temple, The Sheba Temple, and RA. These are names that associate with Hindu and Egyptian culture. Specifically, cultures that have myths that say a God helped civilization after the great flood. Coincidence? Here's another one, the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC, is an independent federal agency. The agency is often connected to many archeological finds that are quickly dismissed as fake discoveries.
While the story of Jordan and Kincaid and their discovery may never be fully resolved, it remains an essential part of our society's cultural and intellectual landscape. Whether we are searching for answers to the mysteries of the past or simply seeking to better understand ourselves and our place in the world, the story of the Egyptian artifacts in the Grand Canyon continues to capture our imagination and inspire us to explore the depths of human knowledge and understanding. Maintain your curious nature; it may be the one thing that keeps you sane.
