Discovery of a Sacred Ancient Survey Technique Used in the Middle East

By Robert Kerson
11/26/2014
I can demonstrate the use of a few variations on a single ancient land survey pattern which may have
been used to lay out Phoenician or Phoenician influenced sacred spaces, altars and temple buildings in
the ancient Middle East. At present, I have found this technique using measuring cords, in the high place
of the Israelite temple at Arad, high place of the Hebrew (Jewish) temple in Jerusalem first built by
Phoenicians from Tyre for King Solomon, the high place at tel Dan, the pagan temple at Ein Dara, the
pagan temple at Amrit, the pagan Baal temple at Palmyra, and the pagan Roman temples at Baalbek on
the site of the of pagan temples high place.
This paper is an introduction to the basics of the technique. I have written separate papers discussing
each of these sacred spaces. It is recommended that the reader first read this paper on the general
principles involved, then my paper on the Jerusalem temple called, Method By Which Jewish Temple In
Jerusalem Could Have Been Laid Out.
The technique involves a single outer square area and a single inner triangle whose sides are sized
5:8:8, and where one corner of the square touches one corner of a triangle. It appears the triangle was
created first using measuring cords laid upon the ground, and then the square could be constructed
from the adjacent triangle. The size of the square had to fit within the allowable space. At Arad, the area
of the square had to fit and was limited by the area of the mountain top. If ground level was not a
factor, then any appropriate size square would do.
The length of the triangles long side was the length of each side of the square. All measurements were
taken in the Egyptian Royal (large) Cubit of 52.5 cm. A characteristic of this the technique is that there
must be archeological evidence of a large square laid out. All of the above mentioned temples have had
square areas at one time.
The triangle can be divided into 5 and 8 parts where a value (x) can be assigned to each part. (The
length of (x) is not a constant but is dependent upon the size of the triangle, and its square.) Then the
triangle has 5x:8x:8x parts. Likewise the square can be divided into four sides where each side can be
divided into 8x parts where the length (x) is the same length of (x) as in the triangle. (see Fig, 1)

Fig. 1

The ratio of the sides of this triangle 8/5= 1.6 is very close to the golden ratio ( ) which is 8.09/5=
1.618. These numbers are part of the Fibonacci sequence. They are involved with the seeming motion of
the planet Venus, and in the creation of pentagons and pentacles.
Each example has a quadrilateral space either a true square or close to one (not using 90 angles may
have allowed for tweaking of the design) and they may have a single rectangular area attached which
may be a semi sacred forecourt. The triangular figure can be used in the following ways:
1. Structures can be laid out along segments of the triangle.
2. Structures and courts can be measured by dimensions of a triangle.
3. A point on one of the two long sides of a triangle can be the point fixing the major axis line of a
temple. This major axis line would be parallel to two sides of the square.
4. Structures can be laid on the vertical bisector of the triangle.
The use of this triangle and square created these the characteristic of an axis of a temple or the
placement of structures were never centered within the square but were located off center do to the

triangle being off center within the square. Also, if an added rectangle was used, it was placed at the
gateway front of the square.
Below (See Fig. 2) is a drawings of a basic pattern of eight 5:8:8 triangles which is the maximum
number of two triangles at right angles at each of the four corners of a square.
In the center of the square around the center point labeled by a dot is an irregular octagon drawn in
red. (This center point is labeled (V) in all my other papers.) Outside the octagon is an eight pointed star
drawn in blue, which can create sixteen turns circled in red. There are also eight small points which can
be added to the previous eight points making a total of sixteen points. These points are also irregular.
The small points can create four squares inside the outer square.
Fig. 2. Four squares inside of squares.

Now you are ready to read my other papers concerning these triangles.