Remarkable lenses and eye units in statues from the Egyptian Old Kingdom (ca. 4500 years ago): properties, timeline, questions requiring resolution

Jay M. Enoch

doi:10.1117/12.354722

19 July 1999 Remarkable lenses and eye units in statues from the Egyptian Old Kingdom (ca. 4500 years ago): properties, timeline, questions requiring resolution

Jay M. Enoch

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Proceedings Volume 3749, 18th Congress of the International Commission for Optics; (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.354722
Event: ICO XVIII 18th Congress of the International Commission for Optics, 1999, San Francisco, CA, United States

Abstract

The first known lenses appeared during the IVth and Vth Dynasties (fabricated mainly between ca. 2500 - 2400 BC) of the Old Kingdom of Egypt. Excellent examples of these lenses are found in The Louvre Museum in Paris and the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. These lenses were components of eye constructs in statues and had unique qualities. In particular, the `eyes' appear to follow the viewer as he/she rotates about the statues in any direction. Clearly, this was an intended effect which can be readily photographed (and understood optically). The lenses were ground from high quality rock crystal (a form of quartz). They had a convex and highly polished front surface. On the plane rear lens surface as `iris' was painted. Centered in the dark- appearing pupil zone was an approximately hemispheric negative ground, high power, concave lens surface.

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Jay M. Enoch "Remarkable lenses and eye units in statues from the Egyptian Old Kingdom (ca. 4500 years ago): properties, timeline, questions requiring resolution", Proc. SPIE 3749, 18th Congress of the International Commission for Optics, (19 July 1999); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.354722

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KEYWORDS

Lenses

Eye

Crystals

Surface finishing

Iris

Mining

Copper

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