Dated circa 1150 B.C., the original access to the mortuary temple of Ramesses III at Medinet Habu on the West Bank of Luxor in Egypt is through a fortified gatehouse portal. This entrance structure, known as a ’migdol’ [in Hebrew, ‘migdal’ meaning tower, from the biblical ‘Migdol’] is modeled after Asiatic/Syrian fortresses witnessed by the Egyptian expansion-expeditionary campaigns into Retenu [ancient Egyptian name for Canaan/Syria].
The art and architecture of Ancient Egypt is replete with evidence of an understanding and use of geometric principles that are still in use by designers today. Not to be confused with ’measure’, but emphasizing the ’specifics of geometry’ to achieve ’balance, truth, ma’at’. These tenets were not braggadociously displayed but concealed by the mathematical architectural priests as emblematic elements of the natural order, a respective recognition of the ’sacred arts’. One such subtle salutation was evidently reflected in the Eastern High Gate of the temple. The large rectilinear portals were deftly proportioned to represent certain geometric relationships, in this instance, apparently the square root of three.
It is noted that in situ measurements would be required to verify the exact dimensions and proportions of this opening; some images of the Eastern High Gate suggest the proportions of the portal are nearer those of the golden section.
Dr. Troglodyte