Mirror & Egyptian Lighting Technique

Confused as to how ancient Egyptians were able to light the inner recesses of huge, dark tombs like the pyramids, a hypothesis exists that a series of sunlight-reflecting mirrors were utilized.

Although torches and lamps would have been sufficient to light the dark nooks and crannies of the inner pyramids, scientists have been unable to find any significant measurements of soot residue along the pyramid walls or ceilings. This has led to the theory that Egyptian priests developed a lighting technique involving mirrors.

Hypothetically, mirrors may have been able to reflect sunlight from the outside of the pyramid through the structure. "Yet the Egyptian mirrors were made of polished copper and would have been unable to reflect light with enough intensity to bounce off seven or eight or more mirrors," writes Terrence Aym in an article for Oregon's Salem News.

Many historians doubt that ancient Egyptian mirrors could have been used to properly light a pyramid or any large chamber. Historical mirrors were simply too crude. "This is why scenes in films like 'The Mummy,' where mirrors bounce daylight back and forth down a series of passages to light up an underground chamber, are totally unrealistic," claims Ancient Egypt Magazine.