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Before the Pyramids: Cracking Archaeology's Greatest Mystery
The acclaimed coauthors of the thought-provoking "Civilization One" and "Solomon's Power Brokers" take readers on a gripping excursion into ancient religion and its direct relationship to astronomy. Thrillingly, Christopher Knight and Alan Butler establish conclusively that even before the last ice age an advanced civilization existed that had knowledge of Megalithic and metric measuring systems and of the Earth's size--and that fragments of this culture were preserved. They explain how the oldest, most enigmatic of the Neolithic monuments--the henges of North Yorkshire--were planned, what their purpose actually was, what amazing connection they have to the later Pyramids of Giza, and why both henges and pyramids are earthly representations of the stars in Orion's belt.
288 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2009
113 people are currently reading
401 people want to read
About the author
Christopher Knight
19 books96 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Christopher Knight is an author who has written several books dealing with pseudoscientific conspiracy theories such as 366-degree geometry and the origins of Freemasonry.
In an interview about the book Who Built the Moon?: 2005 Knight stated that the moon is an artificial construction probably built by humans with a message in "base ten arithmetic so it looks as though it is directed to a ten digit species that is living on Earth right now - which seems to mean humans." He believes that it was created to make life on Earth possible, including humans, and that the most likely builders were humans of the future using time travel.
Christopher Knight is an author who has written several books dealing with pseudoscientific conspiracy theories such as 366-degree geometry and the origins of Freemasonry.
In an interview about the book Who Built the Moon?: 2005 Knight stated that the moon is an artificial construction probably built by humans with a message in "base ten arithmetic so it looks as though it is directed to a ten digit species that is living on Earth right now - which seems to mean humans." He believes that it was created to make life on Earth possible, including humans, and that the most likely builders were humans of the future using time travel.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 3, 2011
Great stuff. Stone Age man had a pendulum and with it he could track the stars, predict comets, eclipses and follow a 366 day year, all in 9500 BC. Not too shabby. These two authors are more in the engineering mode but did wonderful research, citing archaeologists, mathmaticians and egyptologists. Neat connections to the Freemasons. Makes Dan Brown look boring.
December 9, 2012
Knight and Butler clearly did a great deal of research and are passionate about their findings. The idea that Neolithic humans had a system of measurement that they used to construct megalithic sites is interesting. But I'm still unsure as to what would've inspired ancient man to create pendulums, measure the rising of stars and constellations and then construct vast complexes of stone circles, henge's and various other places of worship on Earth. The authors strive to validate their research with many technical illustrations and mathematics, which I personally found difficult to follow and a little dull; at times, they appear overzealous in their attempts to convince the reader. The book goes on to include the pyramids of Giza and the infamous Orion theory, as well as leaning more toward conspiracy at the end with Freemasonry and a suggestion that the city of Washington D.C. was constructed using the ancient measuring system and to reflect the constellation of Virgo. The authors clearly want to be taken seriously but unfortunately I don't think their findings will be accepted by those they wish to convince most in the scientific community. However I remain impressed and intrigued by the scope of their work.
May 10, 2012
RATING: 3.5 stars
Mr. Knight & Butler try to solve some mysteries of the Megalithic era ... and their solutions and explanations seem reasonable, and might be correct. The book gives you a chance to ask your own questions and think outside of the box.
For me the title was a little deceiving; I didn’t know anything about the book when I picked it up and I expected to read about pyramids. Don’t take me wrong, the book is interesting and definitely worth reading, but the pyramids represent only about 5% of the book. There were some aspects of the book that kept me for giving it a better rating:
o When I read a historical book I prefer to have the facts presented plain and simple. The descriptions of the cab trips, hotels, etc. have distracted me from the reading. However, the encounters with the different engineers, archeologists, etc. were much appreciated.
o After talking about the Egyptian pyramids and the England henges the authors jump to freemasonry and later to American history, without an apparent connection between them (we learn about these connections much later). The chapters about freemasonry and Washington DC were very interesting, but I would have wished a smoother transition between chapters.
o I totally agree that Megalithic people had their own system of units … but I question the hypothesis that they used both Megalithic system and modern system especially in the same construction. Why should anybody use the Megalithic 366-degree system to measure longitude and the modern 360-degree system to measure latitude?
Mr. Knight & Butler try to solve some mysteries of the Megalithic era ... and their solutions and explanations seem reasonable, and might be correct. The book gives you a chance to ask your own questions and think outside of the box.
For me the title was a little deceiving; I didn’t know anything about the book when I picked it up and I expected to read about pyramids. Don’t take me wrong, the book is interesting and definitely worth reading, but the pyramids represent only about 5% of the book. There were some aspects of the book that kept me for giving it a better rating:
o When I read a historical book I prefer to have the facts presented plain and simple. The descriptions of the cab trips, hotels, etc. have distracted me from the reading. However, the encounters with the different engineers, archeologists, etc. were much appreciated.
o After talking about the Egyptian pyramids and the England henges the authors jump to freemasonry and later to American history, without an apparent connection between them (we learn about these connections much later). The chapters about freemasonry and Washington DC were very interesting, but I would have wished a smoother transition between chapters.
o I totally agree that Megalithic people had their own system of units … but I question the hypothesis that they used both Megalithic system and modern system especially in the same construction. Why should anybody use the Megalithic 366-degree system to measure longitude and the modern 360-degree system to measure latitude?
February 17, 2014
The authors present their case for high civilisations more ancient than the pyramids. They follow on from the work of Thom who rediscovered the Megalithic Yard and show that this measurement and other associated ones were used in Ancient Britain well before the construction of the pyramids in Egypt.
They contend that Thornborough Henge and others in the UK form the basis for a system the Egyptians used to construct their pyramids.
It is an interesting read, and I have to agree that there must have been some sort of cohesive system in use to produce such magnificent structures.
However, I don't think the authors case is made that the ancients used pendulums to set the unit of the Megalithic Yard.
I was also put off by their description of some of the machinery they suggest was in use at the time to measure the circumference of the globe. Even though it was possible to construct these measurement tools out of the materials to hand in that period, I'm unsure that the ancients would have gone to such extremes to do so.
I tend to favour another option, that of closely observing natural harmonics instead, of which the oscillation of the pendulum is but one. However, their assumption that the units of length, volume, and time (and also sound, though not mentioned) are closely interrelated, I think, are spot on.
They contend that Thornborough Henge and others in the UK form the basis for a system the Egyptians used to construct their pyramids.
It is an interesting read, and I have to agree that there must have been some sort of cohesive system in use to produce such magnificent structures.
However, I don't think the authors case is made that the ancients used pendulums to set the unit of the Megalithic Yard.
I was also put off by their description of some of the machinery they suggest was in use at the time to measure the circumference of the globe. Even though it was possible to construct these measurement tools out of the materials to hand in that period, I'm unsure that the ancients would have gone to such extremes to do so.
I tend to favour another option, that of closely observing natural harmonics instead, of which the oscillation of the pendulum is but one. However, their assumption that the units of length, volume, and time (and also sound, though not mentioned) are closely interrelated, I think, are spot on.
May 25, 2018
Can you approach a truly controversial subject with an open mind? At the core of this book is the revelation of a system of measurement based on the circumference of the Earth, a system of measurement that is thousands of years old. It is not easy to follow and I did not find the elucidations as clear as I would have liked, but the evidence for the system seems too substantial to ignore.
I have long believed that the core of every ancient myth was factual, that, for instance the battle4 of Achilles and Hector told of an apparent celestial battle when comets approached the Earth and one struck with devastating consequences. I find the same "battle" told, from a different geogra[phical and cultural perspective, in the tale of Beowulf. And the biblical verse, "I saw Satan fall like lightening," may be another such reference.
According to Solon as reported by Plato, the Egyptians were astonished at the youthfulness of Greek culture and how little the Greeks knew of ancient history. And yet the Greeks wrote of the planetos (wanderers) which they divided, as we do, into two groups. There were the planetos that never came down to Earth, the ones we call planets and they called gods. Then there were the planetos that came all too frequently to Earth, the ones we call comets and meteorites which they called Heroes. And to keep track of when the Heroes came to do damage to the Earth, they used a celestial reference, the zodiac. They understood an astronomical fact that is only well understood today by astronomers, something called the precession f the equinoxes. You would expect, in the course of a year, that the zodiac would appear in exactly the same place as it had the year before. It doesn't. It slips backward slightly. one of the reasons ancient people had observatories for watching the solstices and equinoxes was to watch the slippage. The point of the zodiac on the horizon at the solstice sunset will not quite make it back to the same point as it was last year at thr same solstitial time. And the precession is so little, it will be about 26,000 years befor the solstice points to the same zodiacal point as it dir this year. The Greeks called this the great year and we call it the Platonic year because he gave us the account of it.
Now the zodiac is divided into twelve signs of very uneven width and each of these signs, when it appeared on the horizon for the solstice, defined a world age. The musical Aquarius, when it sings of the dawning of the Age of Aquarius, reminds us that, in terms of world ages, we are moving from Pisces to Aquarius. But looking at the constellations reveals how imprecise this can be. In fact there is a gap between the last star of Pisces and the first of Aquarius. In other places of the zodiac, there is an overlap. For ancient cultures, determining the precise moment of transition was fraught with political overtones. And we read them in ancient works. The Egyptians worshiped the cow, Taueus, but the new age of Aries, the Ram, saw the liberation of the people of Israel, who still call their people to worship with the blowing of a Ram's horn. All of the ancient world knew to expect the transition to Pisces at approximately the time of Jesus's birth. In fact, there were many pretenders to the title of Messiah.
The most prevalent myth concerns the devastation at the end of the Age of Virgo. At this time, a world of peace and plenty was suddenly shattered, presumably by a comet. That would have been twelve to thirteen thousand years ago. Before the Pyramids has identified a system of measurement that would have been evolved before that cataclysm and which survived, barely, into the devastated Earth that remained to pick up the pieces. I find the presentation of this ancient system of measurement complicated but nevertheless compelling. If it is correct, and I think it may be, we will be obliged to reconsider all we think we know of ancient civilization. And it doesn't require alien intervention. It just requires a new respect for the intelligence and ability of those on whose shoulders we must always stand.
I have long believed that the core of every ancient myth was factual, that, for instance the battle4 of Achilles and Hector told of an apparent celestial battle when comets approached the Earth and one struck with devastating consequences. I find the same "battle" told, from a different geogra[phical and cultural perspective, in the tale of Beowulf. And the biblical verse, "I saw Satan fall like lightening," may be another such reference.
According to Solon as reported by Plato, the Egyptians were astonished at the youthfulness of Greek culture and how little the Greeks knew of ancient history. And yet the Greeks wrote of the planetos (wanderers) which they divided, as we do, into two groups. There were the planetos that never came down to Earth, the ones we call planets and they called gods. Then there were the planetos that came all too frequently to Earth, the ones we call comets and meteorites which they called Heroes. And to keep track of when the Heroes came to do damage to the Earth, they used a celestial reference, the zodiac. They understood an astronomical fact that is only well understood today by astronomers, something called the precession f the equinoxes. You would expect, in the course of a year, that the zodiac would appear in exactly the same place as it had the year before. It doesn't. It slips backward slightly. one of the reasons ancient people had observatories for watching the solstices and equinoxes was to watch the slippage. The point of the zodiac on the horizon at the solstice sunset will not quite make it back to the same point as it was last year at thr same solstitial time. And the precession is so little, it will be about 26,000 years befor the solstice points to the same zodiacal point as it dir this year. The Greeks called this the great year and we call it the Platonic year because he gave us the account of it.
Now the zodiac is divided into twelve signs of very uneven width and each of these signs, when it appeared on the horizon for the solstice, defined a world age. The musical Aquarius, when it sings of the dawning of the Age of Aquarius, reminds us that, in terms of world ages, we are moving from Pisces to Aquarius. But looking at the constellations reveals how imprecise this can be. In fact there is a gap between the last star of Pisces and the first of Aquarius. In other places of the zodiac, there is an overlap. For ancient cultures, determining the precise moment of transition was fraught with political overtones. And we read them in ancient works. The Egyptians worshiped the cow, Taueus, but the new age of Aries, the Ram, saw the liberation of the people of Israel, who still call their people to worship with the blowing of a Ram's horn. All of the ancient world knew to expect the transition to Pisces at approximately the time of Jesus's birth. In fact, there were many pretenders to the title of Messiah.
The most prevalent myth concerns the devastation at the end of the Age of Virgo. At this time, a world of peace and plenty was suddenly shattered, presumably by a comet. That would have been twelve to thirteen thousand years ago. Before the Pyramids has identified a system of measurement that would have been evolved before that cataclysm and which survived, barely, into the devastated Earth that remained to pick up the pieces. I find the presentation of this ancient system of measurement complicated but nevertheless compelling. If it is correct, and I think it may be, we will be obliged to reconsider all we think we know of ancient civilization. And it doesn't require alien intervention. It just requires a new respect for the intelligence and ability of those on whose shoulders we must always stand.
January 8, 2018
This is perhaps one of the most boring books I have ever read dealing with pre-Egyptian civilizations. The vast majority of the book deals with the author defending his view of something called the megalithic yard. He ties this into the building of Stonehenge, various other henges, the pyramids and even Washington, D.C. This part of the book just comes across to me as someone defending their view on something and going on and on about how right they are.
It's not necessary. This entire portion of the book could actually have been turned into an appendix. The math behind it all is fine for those into mathematical proofs but, for the average reader, I think it is just boring.
The book also brings in the Knights Templar and the Freemasons, neither of which has anything at all to do with pre-pyramid Egypt or pre-Sumer civilizations. It also leaves out some interesting questions such as how was this measurement system first developed and by which civilization? How did the idea get from England to Egypt? Did any of this influence South American civilizations? Are there any henges in the U.S.?
Also, the author points out that there are lots and lots of henges. Why? It would seem to me that a few of them, if built correctly and the information from the findings shared with others, would have sufficed.
All-in-all a very disappointing book.
It's not necessary. This entire portion of the book could actually have been turned into an appendix. The math behind it all is fine for those into mathematical proofs but, for the average reader, I think it is just boring.
The book also brings in the Knights Templar and the Freemasons, neither of which has anything at all to do with pre-pyramid Egypt or pre-Sumer civilizations. It also leaves out some interesting questions such as how was this measurement system first developed and by which civilization? How did the idea get from England to Egypt? Did any of this influence South American civilizations? Are there any henges in the U.S.?
Also, the author points out that there are lots and lots of henges. Why? It would seem to me that a few of them, if built correctly and the information from the findings shared with others, would have sufficed.
All-in-all a very disappointing book.
December 20, 2019
I am not a follower of most mainstream archeological theories due to the many holes that can be made within the arguments of archeologists and what they deem as fact nor are they willing to listen to outside theories that aren’t in their ranks. I believe this is why I devour books like this as it questions the current theories and while may not have the answers there is a started path to questioning our collective history.
With that being said, I could not get into this book and it’s why it took me so long to read it. There were very few areas of reading that held my interest but 95% of the book was repetitive statements. This type of style of writing is something I can’t stand especially in non-fiction.
However, what saved this review from becoming a 1 star review is the the mathematical theory of what early man could measure and create based on the stars. I must admit that math is not my forte but, it was interesting enough to create a mind-blown reaction.
I do feel this book could have been so much better if it wasn’t written in a repetitive way nor like reading a text book. It should be said that it’s definitely not for everyone but geared more towards those who can understand and/or appreciate mathematics. The history was
With that being said, I could not get into this book and it’s why it took me so long to read it. There were very few areas of reading that held my interest but 95% of the book was repetitive statements. This type of style of writing is something I can’t stand especially in non-fiction.
However, what saved this review from becoming a 1 star review is the the mathematical theory of what early man could measure and create based on the stars. I must admit that math is not my forte but, it was interesting enough to create a mind-blown reaction.
I do feel this book could have been so much better if it wasn’t written in a repetitive way nor like reading a text book. It should be said that it’s definitely not for everyone but geared more towards those who can understand and/or appreciate mathematics. The history was
June 11, 2019
While yes, I thought this book was fascinating, it suffered from the same deficit as every other such book that I have read. The book is primarily about Freemasonry and its origins. However, it doesn't teach anything about what Freemasonry is.
Yes, it identified many symbols that point to Freemasonry, it never once explained why I should care, if I should be happy, if I should be afraid or why it matters at all. If in the beginning of the book I would have agreed that yes, the megolithic yard and the signs and symbols and structures point to Freemasonry, it never answers: So What?
Just like every other such book I have ever read.
The question then is why bother reading this book? Other than pointing out some interesting history of historic structures, there is no other good reason to bother reading it. All of this same information is repeated in the many other such books and is easily viewed on YouTube, etc.
Yes, it identified many symbols that point to Freemasonry, it never once explained why I should care, if I should be happy, if I should be afraid or why it matters at all. If in the beginning of the book I would have agreed that yes, the megolithic yard and the signs and symbols and structures point to Freemasonry, it never answers: So What?
Just like every other such book I have ever read.
The question then is why bother reading this book? Other than pointing out some interesting history of historic structures, there is no other good reason to bother reading it. All of this same information is repeated in the many other such books and is easily viewed on YouTube, etc.
September 20, 2017
Another book in the style of Von Daniken, with little on actual facts and much on supposition, despite the mass of tedious numbers.
Freemasons, Roslyn Chapel, Pyramids, Stonehenge probably attract more writers than any other subject, and while they hint at an ancient civilisation with arcane knowledge, none comes up with any actual knowledge useful to us in today's world.
The story of the Megalithic yard is well known and there is a BBC programme written and produced by Magnus Magnusson who actually interviews Professor Thom in 1970. It is still on Youtube.
I have to admit being very bored reading this book; it had nothing new, but I wondered if Google Earth were claiming royalties as it seemed so much of the author's work depended on this resource.
Freemasons, Roslyn Chapel, Pyramids, Stonehenge probably attract more writers than any other subject, and while they hint at an ancient civilisation with arcane knowledge, none comes up with any actual knowledge useful to us in today's world.
The story of the Megalithic yard is well known and there is a BBC programme written and produced by Magnus Magnusson who actually interviews Professor Thom in 1970. It is still on Youtube.
I have to admit being very bored reading this book; it had nothing new, but I wondered if Google Earth were claiming royalties as it seemed so much of the author's work depended on this resource.
March 11, 2021
„Primii egipteni își îngropau morții direct în nisipul deșertului ars de soare, unde temperaturile mari și aerul uscat deshidratau trupurile, mumificându-le.”
„Prima piramidă în trepte cunoscută este cea a lui Djoser din Saqqara, aflată la câțiva kilometri de Gizeh.”
„O „piramidă cu margini netede” a fost construită nu cu mult înaintea proiectării complexului Gizeh. E cunoscută sub denumirea de „Piramida Roșie” și a fost creată la instrucțiunile regelui Sneferu, despre care se crede că a fost tatăl lui Keops.”
„Imaginea zeului care moare și învie provine din Egiptul Antic și, fără îndoială, originea ei este cu mult mai veche. Cele mai importante sărbători ale creștinismului, printre care și Crăciunul sau Pastele, existau deja de mii de ani în momentul nașterii lui Iisus Hristos”
„Prima piramidă în trepte cunoscută este cea a lui Djoser din Saqqara, aflată la câțiva kilometri de Gizeh.”
„O „piramidă cu margini netede” a fost construită nu cu mult înaintea proiectării complexului Gizeh. E cunoscută sub denumirea de „Piramida Roșie” și a fost creată la instrucțiunile regelui Sneferu, despre care se crede că a fost tatăl lui Keops.”
„Imaginea zeului care moare și învie provine din Egiptul Antic și, fără îndoială, originea ei este cu mult mai veche. Cele mai importante sărbători ale creștinismului, printre care și Crăciunul sau Pastele, existau deja de mii de ani în momentul nașterii lui Iisus Hristos”
June 30, 2018
A page turner from beginning to end.
I was very disappointed when the book ended after only three days. It should have lasted much longer. If you can keep an open mind, enjoy mysteries while learning, this book will be a page turner for you as well. This book earned five stars from me due to the diligence and research shown by the author's. Do not miss this one.
I was very disappointed when the book ended after only three days. It should have lasted much longer. If you can keep an open mind, enjoy mysteries while learning, this book will be a page turner for you as well. This book earned five stars from me due to the diligence and research shown by the author's. Do not miss this one.
April 30, 2018
Good start, but disappointing.
The book started out interestingly enough but, after wandering of in different directions, never returned to the original quest in the Egyptian desert. Did they ever find what they were looking for?
Who knows?!
The book started out interestingly enough but, after wandering of in different directions, never returned to the original quest in the Egyptian desert. Did they ever find what they were looking for?
Who knows?!
May 3, 2018
Just ok.
Authors have spent to much time complaining about academic dismissal of their theory and justifying their views. If the science is good then their view will become accepted in time.
Authors have spent to much time complaining about academic dismissal of their theory and justifying their views. If the science is good then their view will become accepted in time.
July 31, 2018
Very interesting from start to finish
The book gives you a lot to think about and point to some very compelling evidence that our ancient ancestors were much more advanced then we give them credit for. Looking forward to reading more books by the authors.
The book gives you a lot to think about and point to some very compelling evidence that our ancient ancestors were much more advanced then we give them credit for. Looking forward to reading more books by the authors.
May 8, 2020
A fantastic theory that the Neolithic Britains developed astronomy measurements that were equal to, or lent to, the Egyptians. This relates to the positioning of the ceremonial mounds in Britain and the pyramids in Egypt.
December 1, 2018
interessante, ma troppa matematica
March 16, 2015
Interesting info on megalithic metrics. Intriguing measurements of Washington DC. But, way, WAY too much pseudoscientific deductions that "prove" things. They authors apparently have no conception of rejecting the null hypothesis and stuff like that.
There's also too much "the academics didn't play nice" almost to the point of "I want my mommy". All these leave a bad taste in your mouth and perhaps makes you fully sympathetic towards those people who ignored them.
Does the coincidences of megalithic measurements surprise? Sure.
Do they prove Neolithic people have all that astronomical knowledge? Quite possible.
Did they connect all the way to Roosevelt when building the Pentagon? You are stretching it big time already.
Do they sound like dispassionate scientists stumbling upon strong, irrefutable evidences? Not a chance.
There's also too much "the academics didn't play nice" almost to the point of "I want my mommy". All these leave a bad taste in your mouth and perhaps makes you fully sympathetic towards those people who ignored them.
Does the coincidences of megalithic measurements surprise? Sure.
Do they prove Neolithic people have all that astronomical knowledge? Quite possible.
Did they connect all the way to Roosevelt when building the Pentagon? You are stretching it big time already.
Do they sound like dispassionate scientists stumbling upon strong, irrefutable evidences? Not a chance.
October 11, 2012
This book was interesting and intellectual. I love learning about this stuff all over again. But my book reading pet peeve #1 was compromised again in this selection. On page 123, another mistake was missed. It says "Khufu" twice at the top of the page instead of saying what the text should have said which is, "Khafre," to detail this paragraph. How can these publishers and proof readers let this stuff go unnoticed? I see it right away while reading, why can't they? That's their job to correct those kinds of mistakes. Someone should smack these people with an Orion's Belt.
September 8, 2015
There was a time before the pyramids and a mankind at the time who gave us the knowledge we have now which we have in no small part forgotten. Were they the original homo-sapiens from which all things stem? Well researched and informative, particularly about the "henges" of Britain and Europe and their purpose as astronomical bases for mans' interconnect with alien life, perhaps better known to man ten thousand years ago than today. If you want to know who we are and how we might have got here then read this book.
July 28, 2011
Another fun one from Knight and Butler. But boy do they have rose-colored glasses.
July 28, 2011
It is a little bit disappointing. However, the findings about the city of Washington is quite interesting.
April 29, 2014
Hmm. I found that some of the book repeated itself as if different people had written chapters, or just cut and paste. Found some of the book a bit far fetched, but overall was worth reading
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January 21, 2019read
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