Ancient Egyptian vases look impossibly precise—so why can’t modern tools copy them?
Karoly Poka and Adam Young break down the shapes, tool marks, and stone choice behind this puzzle.
In this episode, we explore what makes these vessels so unusual: razor-straight interiors, symmetric profiles, and narrow necks carved into hard stones like diorite and granite. Could a simple hand tool do that? Would a lathe help—or leave telltale marks?
We compare what you’d expect from modern machining to what’s actually found on museum pieces, then ask: do today’s methods fail because the goal is different, or because we still don’t fully understand the original techniques?
You’ll hear clear, step-by-step reasoning from both guests: how to spot authentic turning, what certain grooves and polish levels suggest, and where experimental archaeology succeeds (and fails).
We also cover common myths, realistic tolerances, and practical tests you can try at home with basic materials to see why these shapes are so challenging.
Whether you’re into archaeology, craftsmanship, or engineering, this conversation gives you a simple framework to think about “impossible” artifacts—without hype.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaq8QqKrrHY
The birth of modern Man
https://chuckincardinal.blogspot.com/
As I think of the ancient craftsmen that made perfect mirrors, and my own experience my mind come to this. It's about how seeing what a craftsman is working on makes all the difference. Light (beams) is what I am talking about. I often wonder if the ancients had a knowledge of light that we lack today. It travels in very straight lines. Good enough to build pyramids, or vases in perfectly straight lines.
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