Mysterious ancient Egyptian observatory from 2,500 years ago shows ‘advanced knowledge of stars’
AN UNEARTHED observatory has revealed the advanced knowledge of the stars in the ancient world.
Archaeologists in Egypt discovered the ancient observatory which dates back to the sixth century BCE.
The discovery confirms the the ingenuity, skill and knowledge of the ancient Egyptians in astronomy.
The ancient Egyptians are well-known for their achievements in various fields and the latest discovery reinforces their status as pioneers in the study of the cosmos.
The observatory believed to be the first and largest astronomical observatory was located at the Buto Temple in the Tell el-Faraeen area of Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate.
The observatory, constructed from mudbrick, has shed a new light on the ancient Egyptians’ sophisticated understanding of astronomy and timekeeping.
The building, which spans an impressive 9,149 square feet, consists of a regular straight cluster of limestone tiles, with five level blocks of limestone arranged in a combination of vertical and horizontal orientations.
These were likely used to track the inclination of the Sun and monitor its movement throughout the day.
The observatory’s design features a side entrance facing east to capture the sunrise, and a central columned hall open in an L-shape, framed by a large inward-leaning mudbrick wall.
Among the significant finds within the observatory is a slanted stone sundial, also known as an inclined shadow clock.
This device was one of the primary instruments used by the ancient Egyptians to measure time.
This particular clock consisted of a 15.7 foot course of limestone slabs, on which were mounted five flat limestone blocks, three vertical and two horizontal.
On these blocks, lines would have once been inscribed to track the changing inclination of a shadow cast upon the blocks as the Sun moved.
A large stone block was also found in a circular room, with two circular stone blocks, one at the north and one at the west.
This was also used for tracking the inclination of the Sun.
The sundial, along with other measuring tools discovered showed the Ancient Egyptians’s ability to determine the solar calendar and mark important dates, such as religious ceremonies and the agricultural year.
The observatory has also been linked to the measurement of seasonal changes.
According to inscriptions on a stone platform discovered in a circular hall within the observatory, engravings depict astronomical views of the sunrise and sunset across the three seasons of the year.
These engravings, along with symbols such as “chen,” “cent,” and “Benu,” which relate to time and astronomy, suggest that the observatory played a crucial role in ancient Egyptian efforts to understand and synchronize their calendar with the celestial cycles.
Science Alert noted: “The Egyptians were among the most adept astronomers in ancient history, and their legacy echoes to this day,”
“It was in Ancient Egypt that the 365-day calendar was born, and the 24-hour day.
“They completely mapped the night sky, and had their own constellations and zodiac, some signs of which are still recognised today.”
The discovery of the observatory “is a significant contribution” to an understanding today of Ancient Egyptian astronomy and scientific practices, noted Ancient-Origins.net.
Other artefacts found in the observatory included included measuring tools, religious symbols, pottery artefact, bronze statues of Osiris and Nemes, a terracotta statue of the god Bes, and a granite statue dating back to the 26th Dynasty, under the rule of pharaoh Wahibre Psamtik I.
This statue depicts Osiris, and is inscribed to the priest Psamtik-Seneb, containing the title of Royal Seal Bearer.