A series of books - in every way unusual - have come to stay. We might as well take an immediate position on the contents, in which an extensive collection of sources in itself discloses many of the landmines which actually are to be found under several recent theological theories. This being of great immediate interest in the discussions about our understanding of history and its influence on our comprehension and version of our time.
          With this I am referring to the new books of new information, "The Surpressed Record", and the most recent, "The Enigmatic Son of Pharaoh's Daughter", presented by the researcher Ove von Spaeth (and published by C.A. Reitzel Publishers). Especially the latter book is very topical due to several circomstances within the latest textual research and the many new archaeological discoveries in the Middle East.
          Initially, let me stress that this is not a review (I may, however, let the readers know that the books extend to 238 pages and cost DKK 248,-). On the contrary, this is a annotating meta-comment of a disclosure of new matters of extremely rich perspectives connecting with the early culturally very influential Moses figure.


New-Orientating

Ove von Spaeth, the Writer of the series about Moses, reasoning intriguingly from the very beginning endeavour to show - for instance by using astronomically based re-dating of the chronology - that Moses, the Founder of Jewish Monoteism, is not a mythical figure as often so believed. On the contrary, he was a historical person of flesh and blood and, at a certain time, an important figure inside Egyptian history.
          Also, if the reader is interested in mysterious-historical riddles, these books can not avoid arousing curiosity. If not in any other way, then because they make the reader want to see how the writer will manage to get unhurt though the attempt of putting such a thorny and intractable subject on a formula reasonably free of self-contradictions. So far nobody has succeeded in this without severely cutting off uncomfortable heels and toes.
          No matter how the result will be considered, the reading of von Spaeth's books - with the collective title "Assassinating Moses" - will revive a huge amount of material. However, I do also believe that even strongly interested persons at an almost-expert level have to exert themselves in order to draw immediate conclusions to all elements of such a huge collection of material as is the basis of these books on Moses.
          On the other hand, the strong point of these books is the very fact that so many important facts hitherto neglected in research have now been included to form a comprehensive completeness. The re-examined historical circumstances which the books on that background already have been able to present, should further inspire the scholarly branches involved to expanding this researching - and this most immediately. Nevertheless, the discussions aroused following the publication of the first volume of the book-series on Moses point to the fact that among certain different opinions even the title of the book(series) also is seen as being understood as provocative.


A Peculiar Self-Confidence

Many reviews express an honest pleasure with the books; nevertheless, many critics with a positive attitude are also often (still not all of them) concluding by claiming that they have no overmastering authority in many of the subjects, and are thus taking shelter behind a modification of the praises by saying that "von Spaeth's reasoning is in any case very convincing and impressive taking into account that he is a non-professional".
          On this background it is interesting that such exact reservations do not characterise the negative critics, who invoke the authority of their own if not of others.
          By this we are in the peculiar situation that the positively recommendatory critics, among whom we see a great deal of illustrious capacities in other fields than theology and to a certain extent Egyptology, nevertheless are modestly hesitant, while the negative critics claiming to have professional insight either as theologians or Egyptologists appear with a 100 per cent self-confidence of their cause.


The Existence of Moses

Quite a number of the many who have worked with the historical basis of the Bible through times, have - like von Spaeth - noted that there seems really not to be found a proper place for Moses, and even not for the Jews (the Israelites), within Egyptian history. A history that we believe we are so well acquainted with and which is, thus, considered to be inconsistent with the place that Moses and the Israelites have in the Old Testament. Namely where the Books of the Pentateuch tell the absorbing narrative - although by some reflection not quite without self-contradictions, which were already noted by a thinker like Spinoza - the story about a little boy in a wickerwork container floating on the Nile, and who is recovered by the daughter of Pharaoh and brought up by her in the royal palace. Such an education worth the son of a princess.
          Although throughout times this narrative has also been interpreted more or less sarcastic - as we know from Anatole France for instance - nobody is finding faults with the story as such. But the fact that such a picked up child is later going to become the liberator from the oppressors of this people (the Israelites) is hardly a myth. History shows us that in principle this has taken place very often through times in different ways depending on time and place.
          We have another of the examples from the Bible, where David himself, who is considered a great king, who was to become a unifying power in Israel, was partly of foreign descent, i.e. from a line of the Moabites - so often abominated by the Israelites.


Respect to the Facts

Actually, the only "bad" thing about the old narrative about Moses is of course not the possible veracity, its structural logic, but the fact that it does not seem to fit into Egyptian history. And it is so much worse, because we know Egyptian history of that time rather well, and according to biblical interpreters - and together with them many researchers believe - here is the timeframe to where Moses belongs. However, we are without major traces in Egypt of emigrating Israelites at the time of Ramses II in 1200 BC.
          Ove von Spaeth operates by reversing the issue:  We are not going to find a Moses, because we have placed him in a wrong time. A partly similar principle is known from the explanation by D.D. professor Sven Holm-Nielsen, namely that the entire conception is wrong concerning Israel as a definite people - something not really in existence is being dated at a place and time selected by us, and that is why we can not make it fit in.
          Ove von Spaeth is making, thus, the proposal - in several ways very reasonable - that the reason for the lack of Moses and the lack of Israelites is here due to the fact that we have dated him too late in history. However, if we go back approx. 200 years, i.e. till 15-1400 B.C., everything will look differently.
          In addition, the writer presents quite a number of indications, which in themselves may very well mean that Moses is the genuine son of the daughter of Pharaoh. And she is later historically personified to be Queen Hatshepsut, a queen, who most unusually became a Pharaoh herself, and whose famous temple we find close to the entrance road of the Valley of Kings.
          Von Spaeth presents us even with a beautiful and intriguing jigsaw puzzle. However, the critics have been suspicious about the fact that, for once, the pieces seem to fit in quite handsomely - the logical plain solution, simply, is not allowed to exist Several theologically oriented reviewers can here be seen to use quite irrelevant arguments in their zeal to invent a basis for defaming the research presented by the writer. This is not any new, neither that the respect for facts ought to be greater, also among academics.


Astronomy Makes Precise Dating

In "The Enigmatic Son of Pharaoh's Daughter", the second volume of the series about Moses, the basis of the chosen dating is being elaborated by means of a newly established concretizing of the precision of time - hitherto it was only relative. Ove von Spaeth is the first person to make an astronomical-scientific dating of the oldest star chart in the world. This Egyptian chart was placed and signed by Queen Hatshepsut's vizier in his secret tomb beneath the mentioned temple and is dating back to ca. 1490 B.C. - it was only discovered 70 years ago.
          The writer's paper on this important dating was published in the international science magazine, the "Centaurus International Magazine of the History of Mathematics, Science, and Astronomy" (vol 42, Aug. 2000, pp 159-179). Further, Sir Dr. Patrick Moore, the British Astronomer, - known from his numerous works and as astronomy commentator on the BBC for 47 years - and who has himself translated writings about Egyptian astronomy, thus knowing the problems - has now described this discovery as "a major advance".
          Along with other exact indications as new information about the position and time of Moses, an edition of the star chart - adapted for the readers - has been included in the current volume 2 of the books of the book-series on Moses. From this the different interpolations done by von Spaeth are being stretched very reasonably and taking into consideration that this is a case about so distant events - partly enveloped in mist. For instance, we know that after the death of Hatshepsut a strong counter-action took place against her and her reforms. Still, we find the violent traces of the next sovereign, who to a great extent deleted her relics from history.
          And - this not being the hypothetical conclusion of von Spaeth, but of my own - it is not unlikely that Moses - being a victim of such a removal - would have taken the lead of a rebellious group of people.


Tracing the Israelites

Also, concerning the ethnically very mixed up group of Israelites in Egypt, it can be said that - so far - not many recognizable, exact traces have been left. This, however, may be easily explained, when taking into account the stormy and confusing events of the period. Such as those pointed out e.g. by Professor Sven Holm-Nielsen.
          To this can be added that it is amazing how many traces the Egyptians have left with the Israelites and thus with the Jews. Actually, we see something by a corresponding princible today with the American Jews of Eastern European descend. They have brought a tremendous number of Russian words into the USA, while on the contrary in Russia, where the Jews have actually been living for almost a millennium, remarkably few traces have been left compared to for instance those of the Vikings, the Mongols, and the Arabs.
          Such historical-cultural traces of all kinds - from biblical relations in Antiquity to contemporary emigrant customs - make the history of our own times so extremely interesting and give it further depth. We see it everywhere, from fragments of the history of Moses - still to be found in a part of our everyday phrases - to the Hollywood "merchandises" disseminated together with "Prince of Egypt", the Moses movie.
          That is also the reason for the major importance that such a thorough work as the present about Moses is now being published. And the discussions that followed the publication of Ove von Spaeth's first book (cf. for instance www.moses-egypt.net) should favourably be extended upon the publication of "The Enigmatic Son of Pharaoh's Daughter", the second book from this writer. To the readers I would like to say, "Enjoy! An exact, exciting voyage of discoveries is ahead of you!"

J.M.

Ove von Spaeth: "The Enigmatic Son of Pharaoh's Daughter", 238 pages, illustr., DKK 248,-,  C.A. Reitzel Publishers, 2000.

(The essayist/reviewer, Jurij Moskvitin, is a philosopher, mathematician, concert pianist, film music compositor, and author (Jurij Moskvitin's "Essay on the Origin of Thought", Ohio University Press, 1974, was soon established as a true classic); he has formerly been a reviewer for the Copenhagen newspaper "Politiken" and occasionally for the Danish national television).

(Jurij Moskvitin has, 30.Aug.2001, given OvS. permission to free use of this article)

Intro by moses-egypt.net:  - Ove von Spaeth's analysis of the 3,500 year-old Senmut Star Map is included as a special appendix to the Volume 2 of his book-series on research on the historical Moses.
          The text is re-edited to be used by readers without professional astronomical knowledge, and it origins from Ove von Spaeth's treatise with documentation for the dating of Egypt's oldest star map being published in "Centaurus" (42;3, 2000).

          The actual analysis of the Senmut star map follows its own objective purpose:  to be concerned only with the very dating of the ancient Egyptian star map - thus without any dependence of how the result could be used in other connections.
          However, apart from the investigation's totally separated research the data of the Senmut map have interesting perspectives: - the precise astronomical dating of the star map implies an enhanced concept of chronology also contributing to new orientating research on the historical Moses. In relation to Ove von Spaeth's Moses-series the analysis result of the star map contains remarkable perspectives:
          - The material indicates a special date signified in the star map. The same date seems to appear in the Rabbinical Writings informing on a specific event for Moses in Egypt. This possible cross-reference between Egyptian and Israelite history is demonstrated in the series' Volume 2 (and Vol.1).

"An Egyptian Star Map":  - According to the presented analysis, the star map is revealing that it contain information of an actual celestial event of its time. This pioneering discovery, by Ove von Spaeth, uncovers thus the earliest exact scientific description of an otherwise rare but not unknown celestial phenomenon.
          The findings were also exposed, for instance, as in the following review/summary by D.I. Loizos, Professor of History, Anistoriton History Library, Athens, Greece:

          "The study concludes as follows: The Senmut map depicts an exceptional event in the sky. This seems to have produced a prototype for all later pictures of similar celestial events - but with one exception:  In the first depiction, in the time of Senmut, Mars is retrograde in the west when the other planets assemble around Sirius in the east.
          So far has been demonstrated:  - 1) The Senmut maps contain a cosmological and astro-mythological expression not only as decoration - as hitherto assumed - but also as a picture of a particular and unique situation in the sky.  - 2) This configuration of the sky can be exactly dated: 1534 BC.
          In addition the star maps may contribute to a much better dating of their creator Senmut and also of the contemporary Egyptian pharaohs."

D.I. Loizos, Professor in History, Editor-in-Chief, - An Egyptian Star Map  http://www.anistor.gr/english/index.htm  - Anistoriton Journal of History, Archaeology, & ArtHistory, Vol. 6/2002 (ISSN 1108-4081), London, - & -  Anistoriton History Library, Athens, Greece:  http://users.hol.gr/~dilos/anistor/cover.htm

The bold historian Ove von Spaeth writes in an exciting way about the life of Moses - if it actually IS Moses he is tracing. - Unlike other historians, he shows the principle that the accounts must be assumed for being real as long as they are not disproven or unreasonable.

The Danish author Ove von Spaeth seems to be one of our bold scientists. By being deeply familiar with Hebrew and ancient Egyptian language he is occupying his readers' imagination with his discoveries about the life of the famous Moses. To himself he prefers a withdrawn life - von Spaeth will not interviewed, and he evades the press photographers. As a historian he has his declared distinctiveness. Many people in the professions in question think that a source can only be used when fully proven. This historian for Moses shows the principle that the presented accounts must be assumed for being real as long as they are not disproven or unreasonable.

          What did we, years back, learn about Moses? In 'The great Danish Encyclopedia's 13th Volume, 1999, there was merely a summary of the Second Book of Moses (Exodus) story of the Israelite infant who was taken up from his basket on the Nile and was then brought up by Pharaoh's daughter, and later, at God's command, he led the children of Israel out of Egypt to Canaan's border, where he died.
          In his first volume, 'The Suppressed Record, Assassinating Moses', 1999, von Spaeth draws on neglected historical sources. For centuries, Jewish rabbis have recorded the memories which had emerged about Moses in Egypt.
          From Rabbi Abrabanel's information we know that Moses was born three years after the big conjunction in the constellation we know as Pisces, and this appeared in the February-March 1537 BC. Thus, Moses is born 1534 BC. The Pharaoh's daughter who took him to heart, was Crown Princess Hatshepsut, crowned as his father's co-regent. Moses is Egyptian prince and heir to the throne.
          However, dramatic events occur, a rival having Moses driven away and seeking by every mean to destroy monuments of the outlaw who seeks abroad, comes back, and becomes the rescuer of the Hebrews.

          In the second part or volume, 'The Enigmatic Son of Pharaoh's daughter', 2000, we are back to the royal court of Hatshepsut. Before his sudden disappearance Moses had, according to the rabbis, achieved high-level positions and acquired all the wisdom of Egypt.
          We know now from Egyptian history that the mighty Hatshepsut after her father, Tuthmosis I's death ruled Egypt, and that she had a consort of inferior royal lineage, Tuthmosis II. And a young, highly-ranked minister, Senmut, being inaugurated in all the secrets of the government.
          Senmut's ambitions were without limits. As an enthusiastic architect leader he constructed temples and tombs for the queen and for himself also one of royal equipment.
          When the political situation came into a changing he created a new secret tomb to himself, never completed, since a revolution occurred; he disappeared, and the tomb was only found in 1925.

          In this mausoleum Senmut had placed a star map on which the planetary positions forming a conjunction so rare that it took place only four times from the year 2200 BC to 200 AD, including the May 1534 BC. This was, so to speak, the moment when the little Moses was taken up from the Nile and brought to his royal foster mother.
          We do not know with what name the queen had called Moses. The name Moses is Egyptian. Now it is possible that Senmut by pun may suggest that he was the son of the reigning queen, which promoted his royalty-like position in all ways. When she died it was murder, a poisoning, six years after Senmuts disappearance. No burial is not known.

          Von Spaeth has for long prepared a brilliant logical end or a veritable stroke of genius: Senmut is Moses. It explains that two candidates to the throne disappear. At the queen's death, a  rival becomes the pharaoh, Tuthmosis III.
          Our bold author repeats, varies, and increases his evidences that Senmut is Moses. This confronts the reader with a choice: faith or doubt.
          In the turbulent years from when Senmut disappears and till the queen is poisoned and the corpse becomes missing, everything can happen. Concerning the presented evidences the reader must distinguish between Senmut's and Moses' fate.
          The astronomical timing of Senmut's star map is unambiguous, but that this certain time coincides with Moses' Nile 'baptism' may be a coincidence. Our information on Moses' Egyptian data depend on dispersed rabbis' writings through the centuries, and here it will be - even with von Spaeths tolerant criterion: the evidences are true until proven otherwise - not easy to overcome an instinctive doubt. However, let me as Holberg suspend my judicium (judgment) and await the final volumes.

F.J.B.J.

Ove von Spaeth: The  Enigmatic Son of Pharaoh's Daughter. Moses' identity and mystery re-evaluated", - Assassinating Moses, 2.

(F.J. Billeskov Jansens's written permission 2.Oct.2001 for free text use by Ove von Spaeth)