This edition published in Great Britain in 2008 by Quest, an imprint of Top That! Publishing plc, Marine House, Tide Mill Way, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1AP, UK www.topthatpublishing.com 0246897531 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Neither this book nor any part nor any of the illustrations, photographs or reproductions contained in it shall be sold or disposed of otherwise than as a complete book, and any unauthorised sale of such part illustration, photograph or reproduction shall be deemed to be a breach of the publisher’s copyright. ISBN 978-1-84666-699-5 A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Printed and bound in China Creative Director – Simon Couchman. Editorial Director – Daniel Graham. Art Editor – Matt Denny. Written by Gordon Volke. Illustrations by Neil Reed and Robert Nicholls. Consultant Editor - Dr Neal Spencer
White Christmas December 25th, 1915 Happy Christmas to my new journal and friend. The choir were in fine singing voice at this morning’s church service.
We are having a white Christmas this year – but without any snow! The frost this morning was the thickest I have ever seen. It covered everything with a freezing layer of dazzling white, turning the leafless trees into icy skeletons and spiders’ webs into glittering patterns of enchanting beauty. The breath from the horses bringing people to church hung in the air like clouds. Reverend Thomas, who has taken over Father’s duties while he is away at The War, came striding out of the vestry and slipped over. I saw his legs go right up in the air in front of him before he hit the ground. Fortunately, he was wearing so many heavy robes that he did not hurt himself. He is such a boring man, I could not help but laugh at his misfortune. Mama and my twin sisters, Lydia and Kate, clubbed together to buy me a special Christmas gift. It is a brand new set of art materials, complete with its own carrycase. I am thrilled with it. Drawing and painting are very important to me. As well as being my hobby, I use this method to illustrate my scientific findings and keep a record of all the things I see and do.
NOTE: ⁄ I don’t know Mama’s age. She will never reveal it! The twins are almost seventeen. They think they are very superior to me because I am only fourteen. 4
Mama with Lydia and Kate.
Children from the village called after church this morning, singing Christmas carols. It is an old custom that has been carried out since the Middle Ages. Cook, as always, had prepared some special treats for the carollers (plus one or two extra for my younger brother, Tom, and myself). When I heard our little visitors singing these words, I felt the past coming alive:
‘Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head. The stars in the bright sky looked down where He lay, The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.’
My ten-year-old brother, Tom. I have much more in common with him than I do with my sisters!
This is my house in Little Waltham. It looked very festive covered in a thick layer of frost. Talking of the past coming alive, I have a secret to reveal to you, my new journal and friend. I will write more tomorrow. I am fatigued from today’s festive frivolities. 5
I miss Father more than words can describe.
A New Adventure December 26th, 1915 Visiting the past is a highly dangerous business!
Morning Before he went off to France to serve as an army chaplain, Father used to conduct scientific experiments in the summer house at the bottom of our garden. I used to help him. We are both passionate about knowledge and learning everything we can about this amazing world in which we live.
Dearest Father and the summer house - my favourite place in the whole world. One day last summer, experimenting on my own in Father’s absence, I found a strange machine, powered by a mysterious green crystal, hidden in the shed adjoining the summer house. It is a TIME MACHINE! Father built it and left it there for me to discover when he went away. I have already used it to visit different periods in the past and have recorded first hand what I have seen. Tom comes with me on these exciting journeys. He stumbled on the secret by accident, and the price of his silence is to allow him to share my adventures. (I do not mind. He is a bright and cheerful companion.) 6
The shed in which the time machine is stored.
WAR NOTE: Poppies are abundant on the killing fields that surround the trenches. Mortar shells expose the seeds, giving them the light that they need to germinate. Other than my little brother, however, I do not want anyone to know that we have the ability to go time-travelling. If news of Father’s amazing invention ever leaked out, its unique knowledge-gathering powers would be lost forever.
Poppies
Afternoon A telegram arrived just after breakfast this morning, brought by an army courier. My blood ran cold as we assembled in the sitting room to read it. Was it one of those terrible messages that every family dreads, informing them that their loved one had been killed in action? Mercifully, no! Father was due to come home on leave in the New Year, but the fighting has greatly intensified and he cannot get away. We are all heartbroken. They said this war would be over by Christmas. I fear they are wrong and it will drag on for years.
Recruiting posters like this can be seen all over the village. Men are joining the army in droves. Soon, there will not be enough left at home to work on the land and in the factories. Women will have to do their jobs. That will upset a lot of people, including Mama. She believes ladies should be ladies and do very little. I do not agree. Women are the equal of men and should be treated as such! A recruiting poster for the war. Tom keeps pestering me to go time-travelling again during these Christmas holidays. I promised him we would visit the wonders of ancient Egypt. But, at the moment, I am having second thoughts about this promise. Visiting the past is a highly dangerous business and I am fearful something dreadful might happen! 7
ER ! B M E REM ge crystal! Char
New Year’s Eve December 31st, 1915 The greatest danger of time-travelling is getting stuck in the past.
Morning Uncle George is coming to visit us tonight. He is Father’s twin brother (twins run in our family). The two of them look very alike, but they have very different characters. Dearest Father is gentle, rational and passionate about science. Uncle George is lively and funny and mad about history. In fact, he is a professor of ancient history at his university. I expect, as it is New Year’s Eve, he will drink too much of Mama’s finest port and have to stay overnight.
Uncle George
Here is a portrait of Uncle George. It makes you smile just to look at him. If he were a nursery rhyme character, he would be Old King Cole. 8
This is the crystal. Father saw it fall to Earth one night and picked it up from the ground next morning. Fully charged, it is immensely powerful. It can transport the time machine through eons of time in a matter of seconds.
Midday
The greatest danger of time-travelling is getting stuck in the past. The crystal that powers the time machine comes from another world. I imagined this would make its powers infinite, but it is not the case. After being stranded on a previous time travelling expedition, I learned that the crystal needs an electric charge to maintain its potency. So, this afternoon, I will take steps to make sure that Tom and I do not get caught out again.
Early evening
This afternoon, I arranged a method for charging the crystal using some of Father’s equipment. I am pleased to report that it appears to be working. The pulsating green light emitted by the crystal is growing brighter and stronger by the hour.
Success!
I have learned a great deal about the capabilities of the time machine since my earlier explorations. By studying Father’s scientific notes I have compiled the following technical instrument instructions:
The circular disc must be turned to specify the following: MYA = Millions of Years Ago; BC = Before Christ (a date that comes before the date of Jesus’ birth); AD = Anno Domini (a date that comes after the date of Jesus’ birth). These number dials represent the year.
Any location on Earth is described by two numbers – latitude and longitude. Set these ‘coordinates’ on the larger dials to navigate to precise geographical locations.
Calendar dates within a specific year can be entered on these smaller dials for date sensitive time travel. 9
Balderdash and Piffle!
Happy New Year!
January 1st, 1916 - New Year’s Day War is horrible and sad and totally avoidable. Tom’s new kite.
Lydia and Kate were allowed to stay up and see in the New Year, but I was banished to bed along with Tom. We were deemed ‘too young’ to stay up until midnight. If only they knew what we get up to when we go time-travelling! Uncle George came down to breakfast this morning looking as if he had been run over by the omnibus that goes from the village to town twice a week. ‘Are you all right, Uncle George?’ I asked, mischievously. I copied this ‘I drank far too much of your mother’s finest port last picture of night,’ he groaned. poet Rupert Mama tried to change the subject by reading from the Brooke from morning paper. The article remembered the much-loved the newspaper. poet, Rupert Brooke, who died in April last year. With tears filling her eyes, she recited the beginning of his poem ‘The Soldier’:
If I should die think only this of me That there’s some corner of a foreign field That is forever England. Balderdash and piffle! There is nothing romantic about dying in a war. It is horrible and sad and totally avoidable. I cannot understand why our king, the German kaiser and the Russian
The front line.
10
tsar cannot get together and sort out their differences instead of expecting millions of ordinary people to die on their behalf. They’re all part of the same family, after all! By late morning, Uncle George had recovered sufficiently to take Tom kite-flying on Old Oak Hill. Then he made a date to meet me at the summer house after lunch. ‘I have something to show you,’ he whispered, mysteriously. It was a beautiful Egyptian artefact, a model boat made out of wood and complete in every detail. ‘It was found in a tomb,’ explained Uncle George. ‘People in ancient Egypt believed they needed things from this life to help them in the next. This boat would have enabled the dead to journey across the river to the sacred city of Abydos.’ ‘Why are you showing me this, Uncle?’ I asked, curiously. ‘I just thought you might be interested,’ he answered, casually. ‘I’ve been made ‘Head of Ancient Egyptian Studies’ at the university and so I gain access to these magnificent treasures from time to time.’
Uncle George is very cunning. He knows that a gentle hint can be far more persuasive than instruction! The ancient Egyptian model boat.
Late As Uncle George departed this evening, he gave me a shabby entry! leather-bound book on ancient Egypt. I think Uncle George knows about the time machine and is hinting it should be used to visit ancient Egypt! 11
s there a w y h W and in s h c u so m ook? the b
Father’s Book January 2nd, 1916
Midday In the aftermath of the Christmas and New Year festivities the house was very still this morning. Lydia and Kate were still recovering from their late night and Mama was visiting an elderly friend, with Tom, in the village. I decided to take advantage of the peace and quiet to set about reading the old leather-bound book that Uncle George gave to me last night. I took the book to the summer house and upon opening it was surprised to discover a considerable amount of sand in between the faded pages. Stranger still, the detailed descriptions that adorn every page are in Father’s distinctive handwriting! Over the next couple of hours, I pored over the contents of Father’s book. Although I have only scratched the surface, the level of detail is outstanding! (The book contains far more information on ancient Egypt than the history books I use at school.) Most interestingly, I have learned that Egyptian civilisation lasted for 3,000 years. That’s over a thousand years longer than our own civilisation! I had no idea that there were so many interesting people and places to see.
The book contains over 500 pages, all of which have been penned in Father’s own hand. It must have taken him years to compile this many field notes and observations.
Egyptian civilisation lasted for 3,000 years!
Evening We had school exams at the end of last term. According to my I hate Latin!
12
report, I was ‘outstanding’ at mathematics, science, history and geography … but ‘poor’ at Latin. I hate Latin! I know it is the key to the past and the language of scientific classification, but somehow I cannot get my mind to cope with its stupid word order and ever-changing word endings. Mama now expects me to spend the remainder of the Christmas holidays revising my Latin and trying to catch up. How can I escape?
I really hate Latin!
A Map of Ancient Egypt Not to scale A map of the River Nile, showing some of the important places built beside it. I copied it from Father’s book to make a nice page for my journal. Mediterranean Sea
Alexandria Giza LOWER EGYPT Western Desert
Heliopolis Cairo Memphis and Saqqara The River Nile Eastern Desert
UPPER EGYPT
Abydos Thebes Valley of the Kings
Karnak Luxor
Red Sea
N Aswan Philae Abu Simbel
W
E S
13
Am I following in Father’s footsteps?
January 3rd, 1916 First light With Tom’s constant nagging, my own aversion to Latin
revision and a new-found desire to know more about ancient Egypt, I have made up my mind to go time-travelling again!
Time Travel - The Golden Rules 1. Be prepared for visiting a strange environment. I shall need food, water, camping equipment and many other items essential for survival. 2. Keep a record of everything I see. Father’s invention gives me unique access to the past. I will be experiencing history at first hand. I must preserve all my findings in the form of notes, sketches and paintings so I can discuss them with Father when he returns. 3. Make sure Tom and I always get back safely! 4. At all times, everything must be kept secret! Food provisions:, Christmas cakeolate, tinned meat, chocted), biscuits (assor up, water, tinned so dried fruit.
Kit items: • Art materials Ω • Matches Ω • Rope Ω • Tent Ω • Tin opener Ω • Compass Ω • Mallet Ω
• Water canteen Ω • Tinderbox Ω • Lamp Ω • Fuel Ω • Penknife Ω • Cooking pot Ω • Emergency flares Ω
Shopping reminder: It is the twins’ birthday soon and I must buy them both a decent present – I completely forgot last year!
3.05pm The time machine is fully equipped, the crystal is pulsating like a tiny green star and Tom is strapped into his seat. So this is it! Ancient Egypt, here we come! 14
Illustration Note: This is the stone sculpture of King Djoser that I observed being completed. Note the long, false beard he wears on his chin. It is a sign of his kingship.
The First Journey to Ancient Egypt 2648 BC
15
Djoser’s Step Pyramid Day 1, Saqqara, 2648 BC
MYSTERY NOTE: The landing dislodged a piece of paper tucked away in a nook of the time machine. It read: ‘Remember – you cannot change the course of history! ’ and was written in Father’s handwriting.
Ibis birds Today we witnessed the final stages of construction of the very first pyramid. are abundant in ancient We landed with a BUMP on the outskirts of a place called Egypt. Saqqara in the year 2648 BC. After concealing the time machine
16
with a wigwam framework of large palm leaves, Tom and I both wanted to witness the final stages of construction of the first great Egyptian monument, the Step Pyramid. The scene before us as we approached the pyramid construction site was awe-inspiring! Thousands of people were toiling together, pulling ropes and sliding wooden rollers under enormous blocks of limestone to move them across the sands.
Approximate Pyramid Dimensions: Height: 60 metres s Area: 121 x 109 metre Field Notes & Observations: The Egyptians are willing workers. Tom and I watched in amazement as the great lumps of stone were moved about by sheer human strength and determination.
A shaduf an early Egyptian lifting device.
Workers building the enclosure wall that will eventually surround the pyramid.
Add ‘appropriate attire’ to golden rules of time travel.
Day 7, Saqqara, 2648 BC
Oh, how foolish can you be! Tom and I travelled back to ancient Egypt wearing our everyday clothes. As soon as we stepped out of our time machine, we stood out like sore thumbs! They do not like outsiders here, so we were soon arrested by the Pharaoh’s soldiers and sent to work on the pyramid site! Despite being prisoners, we are not being badly treated. They want us to work hard, so it is not in their interest to starve us or beat us. During rest periods, I have managed to sketch this picture of the construction site. The pyramid is being built for King Djoser. He is a rich and powerful pharaoh and this is to be his tomb when he dies. The person in charge of this massive project is a man called Imhotep. According to Father’s book, he’s a genius – a royal official, a doctor, a priest, a far-seeing philosopher and, above all, a brilliant architect.
I am very worried about Tom. He is only a boy and these long hours labouring in the hot sun are making him ill.
The Step Pyramid We must try to escape … but that is easier said than done!
17
The Statue of Djoser
Ancient Egyptian Flora:
Day 18, Saqqara, 2648 BC Mercifully, we were sent to work inside today. We were given the job of clearing up after the stonemasons, who are just
The donkey is adding the finishing touches to a huge statue of Pharaoh Djoser. an important load carrier in It was no fun sweeping up the choking dust and rubble, but at ancient Egypt. least it was cool. Tom brightened visibly out of the glaring heat.
Papyrus: The ancient Egyptians use this tall plant to make paper. It grows on the banks of the River Nile. 18
Umbrella Plant: This is a tall plant with foliage like the supporting ribs of an umbrella.
Blue Lotus Abundant in well-drained areas. The shape and form of these beautiful flowers remind me of Cook’s dumplings!
No wonder this country worships Re, the sun, as its chief god. It is an all-dominant presence. Either side of the Nile, the expanses of burning, arid desert go on for miles and miles. It is only the flooding of the river every spring and summer that allows Egypt to exist at all. The floodwater leaves behind a rich deposit of mud and silt, which keeps the valley fertile and allows a wide variety of crops to be grown. Unlike my sisters, who eat very little in order to preserve their ‘hourglass’ figures, I am very fond of my food. Cook says I am her best customer. Lydia and Kate say I am a ‘glutton’ and a ‘dumpy little thing.’ Whoever is right, I am on a prisoner’s diet now and growing thinner by the day. But there is a good side to this sad state of affairs. The shackles around my wrists, used to restrain me overnight, are becoming looser as I lose weight. Soon, I shall be able to slip my hands out of them and escape like that man, Harry Houdini, whom Uncle George so often mentions. I saw Imhotep, the pyramid architect, today. He was pacing up and down along one side of his pyramid, deep in thought and looked very agitated. I wonder what problem is troubling him?
Chrysanthemum: These decorative flowers grow on sunny sites throughout the region.
Today we had some relief from the burning Egyptian sun.
Day 19 My fellow workers are amazed by my ability to draw and paint
the things around us. Although we cannot understand each other’s language, they point and smile excitedly at my pictures. I would like to give them some as keepsakes, but I barely have enough time and energy to do these for my journal.
Day 22 There is an abundance of plants and flowers in the areas close to the Nile. If my dwindling energy levels permit I will attempt to identify and illustrate the most common species for my journal.
Statue of King Djoser. Stonemasons at work on the life-sized statue of King Djoser.
Interesting Note: Father’s book says that over 90% of Egypt is desert.
The River Nile is the lifeblood of ancient Egyptian civilisation. The yearly flooding enabled farmers to grow crops and plants close to its banks. 19
Dear Reader, Since the discovery of my father’s time machine, my brother Tom and I have secretly travelled back through the ages, to experience history at first hand. In this book, I have recorded my field notes and observations of the ancient Egyptians as I encountered them going about their daily business. I can assure you that this account is not the ramblings of an over-imaginative teenager, but an accurate record of real people, living in an extraordinary time. I hope that in some small way my account of this wondrous adventure will not only thrill, but also help to further your knowledge of the ancient Egyptians. Yours, in scientific endeavour,
Miss H. Gray Quest is an imprint of Top That! Publishing plc, Tide Mill Way, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 1AP, UK www.quest-books.co.uk Copyright Š 2008 Top That! Publishing plc. All rights reserved Printed and bound in China 0246897531