I asked AI – ‘Has a Roman or Phoenician coin ever been found in South Africa?’

AI answer – ‘Yes, ancient Greek and Roman coins, and even coins with possible Phoenician connections, have been found in South Africa. Specifically, a hoard of ancient coins was discovered in Pondoland, and another coin was found near Mount Edgecombe in Natal. There are also reports of possible Phoenician ship remains found near Cape Town. …

These discoveries, while significant, are not fully conclusive evidence of widespread ancient presence or trade with Southern Africa. However, they do suggest that ancient Mediterranean civilizations had some level of contact with the region.’

See also my previous post – ‘Is AI the new Indianna Jones?’: https://lnkd.in/eGXq4UTP

While there’s a story from Herodotus about a Phoenician circumnavigation of Africa, it’s not widely accepted as factual, according to historical sources. Herodotus mentions a Phoenician expedition, possibly commissioned by Pharaoh Necho II, that allegedly sailed around Africa. However, the details are sparse, and many scholars doubt its authenticity.

While the Romans had contact with North Africa, their knowledge and exploration of sub-Saharan Africa, including the southern regions, was limited. They did not venture far enough to reach the area of modern-day South Africa.

There is no evidence of Roman settlements or exploration in the area that is now South Africa.

Bartolomeu Dias is credited as the first European explorer to round the southernmost tip of Africa in 1488, according to Britannica and Wikipedia. He named it “Cabo das Tormentas” (Cape of Storms), later renamed Cape of Good Hope by King John II of Portugal. Vasco da Gama followed a decade later, rounding the Cape in 1497 on his way to India.

While there are accounts of a rumoured Phoenician circumnavigation of Africa commissioned by Egyptian Pharaoh Necho II around 600 BCE, as reported by the Greek historian Herodotus, its veracity is debated and there is no definitive proof.

So, how did Roman and Greek coins from Antiquity end up in the ground in South Africa?

I then asked AI –  ‘Was there a trade in gold, involving South Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and India, during Antiquity?’

There was.

In my previous post I also asked AI – ‘Are any Ancient African Number Systems based upon Ancient Egyptian Number Systems?’

I posited – could it have been the other way around!

AI’s answer surprised me.

So, I asked AI – ‘Is there any astrological alignment between:

(i)         Adam’s Callender;
(ii)        Great Zimbabwe; and
(iii)       The Giza Pyramids

AI answered – ‘Yes, there are claims of an alignment between Adam’s Calendar, Great Zimbabwe, and the Giza Pyramids, specifically along a longitude of 31 degrees East.

This alignment is often cited in the context of theories about ancient civilizations and their understanding of astronomy and energy grids …

Adam’s Calendar:

A stone circle in South Africa, believed by some to be the oldest man-made structure and a solar calendar, is suggested to be aligned with the other two sites.

Great Zimbabwe:

A ruined city in Zimbabwe, also believed to have astronomical alignments, is proposed to be part of this longitudinal alignment.

Giza Pyramids:

Particularly the Great Pyramid, are theorized to be aligned with specific stars (like Orion’s Belt) and possibly share this longitudinal alignment with the other two sites.’

Going off on at a tangent at the moment for fun – As my birthday is 22/7 out of sheer curiosity I asked AI what this ratio signifies in ‘Sacred Geometry’.

AI answered – ‘In Sacred Geometry, both pi and the golden ratio (phi) are considered fundamental constants that appear throughout nature and are believed to embody divine proportions and harmonious relationships. Pi, with its value of approximately 3.14159, is associated with circles and curves, representing cyclical patterns and wholeness. The golden ratio, approximately 1.618, represents a specific proportion found in many natural forms, suggesting a divine blueprint for beauty and balance.’

pi is present at Giza but not at Adam’s Calendar or in Great Zimbabwe.

I am descended in part from wandering herbalists who lived in Manchuria (in NE China) and Egyptians (both on my later Father’s side), and Celts (who lived in Wales) and Anglo-Saxons who lived in England (on my Mother’s side).

So, given my ‘Egyptian’ connection I am delighted to learn that some of my ancient ancestors knew about pi.

My middle name, which was given to me at birth, is Amir-ul.

According to AI – “Amir-ul” is a combination of the Arabic word “Amir” meaning “commander,” “prince,” or “leader,” and the definite article “ul,” which signifies “of the”. Therefore, “Amir-ul” translates to “the commander” or “the prince”. It is often part of honorific titles like “Amir-ul Mukminin” (Commander of the Faithful).

This is part of a long tradition of family names, and I am not sure why. AI could not provide an explanation!

Don’t panic! – So far, I have received no golden tribute – except of course knowledge! and nobody bows when I enter Tesco or the Co-Op. How times must have changed!

I am descended in part from wandering herbalists who lived in Manchuria (in NE China) and Egyptians (both on my later Father’s side), and Celts (who lived in Wales) and Anglo-Saxons who lived in England (on my Mother’s side).

So, given my ‘Egyptian’ connection I am delighted to learn that some of my ancient ancestors knew about ‘pi’.

AI – ‘Yes, there was indeed a trade in gold, involving South Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and India, during Antiquity, although the extent and nature of the trade varied across different periods and regions.

The Indian Ocean trade networks played a crucial role, with gold from Southern Africa finding its way to various parts of the world.

While not directly involved in long-distance trade in its early stages, Southern Africa (particularly the region around Zimbabwe) became a significant source of gold by the 9th century, feeding into the Indian Ocean trade network. Merchants from the Swahili coast, influenced by Indian Ocean trade, likely played a role in connecting these gold resources to broader trade routes.

The Middle East, including regions like the Persian Gulf, acted as a crucial intermediary in this trade. Ports like Siraf in the Gulf facilitated the movement of gold from East Africa and potentially South Africa towards India and other parts of the Middle East.
India’s Connection.’

‘India had established trade connections with East Africa and the Middle East, making it a recipient of gold from these regions. Archaeological evidence, such as Roman coins found in South India, further indicates the presence of trade connections and the flow of precious metals between India and the Roman world.

The Roman Empire, particularly during the Indo-Roman trade period, was a major consumer of goods from the East, including gold. While direct trade between Europe and Southern Africa is less documented, the gold from the region likely reached Europe through intermediaries in the Middle East and potentially through trade routes extending to India.
 
It’s important to note that the trade routes and the involvement of different regions varied over time. For example, the trans-Saharan trade routes also played a significant role in the movement of West African gold to North Africa and Europe, but this trade primarily flourished from the 7th to the 14th centuries, not strictly during Antiquity.’

Stranger than fiction! – Out of curiosity I also asked AI – ‘How can sound frequency be used to cut granite?’

AI answered – ‘While not a common or widely used method, sound frequency, specifically ultrasonic vibration, can be employed to cut granite with precision, though not in the way some ancient construction theories suggest. This technique involves using high-frequency vibrations to induce the granite to fracture and break, potentially allowing for controlled material removal and shaping. …

Ultrasonic vibration can be a viable method for precision cutting of granite, but it’s not a simple or ancient technique. Modern research and development are exploring its potential, but it’s not a replacement for traditional methods in most applications.’

Even more strange than fiction! – I also asked AI – ‘How can sound frequency be used to move granite blocks?’

AI answered – ‘Acoustic levitation, using high-intensity sound waves, can generate forces strong enough to counteract gravity and potentially move objects, including granite blocks. This is achieved by creating standing waves where the pressure nodes (areas of minimal pressure) can suspend objects. By manipulating these sound waves, it’s theoretically possible to levitate and even move larger objects like granite blocks, although the practical application for such large objects is still being explored.’

See also –  Scientist Explains How to Levitate Objects With Sound: https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=Scientist+Explains+How+to+Levitate+Objects+With+Sound&mid=EEEE47096F7340CDA7A5EEEE47096F7340CDA7A5&FORM=VIRE