Watched a doco tonight on SBS about using satellite imagery to find previously undiscovered tombs, temples and pyramids in Egypt. Best of all was the discovery of a sun temple (as featured in a certain book!) At the beginning of the show they crawled up into the King’s chamber of Khufu’s pyramid and then up into the small chambers above, not an easy feat for Zahi Hawass. Inside that top chamber, all over the walls and sides, are dozens of graffitied names from explorers and tourists over probably 150 years. Oh, and also there was a graffiti from the builders – Khufu’s gang I think it was (sorry, Daniel!)
Anyway, on one wall I caught a glimpse of “Aust Force” and had to laugh at our boys from the First AIF who were stationed at Mena Camp in 1914-15. Then they showed another name, Sister MT Martin 6.2.15. She had to be an Aussie. Quick search and sure enough Mary Therese Martin from Newcastle was a member of the AANS.
Anyway, on one wall I caught a glimpse of “Aust Force” and had to laugh at our boys from the First AIF who were stationed at Mena Camp in 1914-15. Then they showed another name, Sister MT Martin 6.2.15. She had to be an Aussie. Quick search and sure enough Mary Therese Martin from Newcastle was a member of the AANS.
There’s a picture of her here: http://www.aans.gravesecrets.net/ma.html
She looks like a spirited woman, one who obviously had no trouble climbing up the Grand Gallery and most likely up rickety wooden ladders to get into the small space of the top chambers – in a long skirt! Bet she never thought that a hundred years later her handwriting would be seen by the whole of her country.
She looks like a spirited woman, one who obviously had no trouble climbing up the Grand Gallery and most likely up rickety wooden ladders to get into the small space of the top chambers – in a long skirt! Bet she never thought that a hundred years later her handwriting would be seen by the whole of her country.
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