- Archaeologists uncovered a massive observatory in Egypt they say is the largest ever found from the sixth century BC.
- The site included multiple sun dial stones and inscriptions tied to astronomy.
- Egypt is known for creating one of the world’s first solar calendars, aided by their attention paid to the sun and its patterns.
Ancient Egyptians studied the sun and astronomy at an intense level, and a sixth century BC observatory that archaeologists recently uncovered puts that all into a bit more perspective.
Teams discovered what the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities is calling the largest-ever observatory from the sixth century in Kafr El-Sheikh at the Buto Temple in Tell el-Fara’in. The 9,150-square-foot site, according to information from a translated statement, features multiple sun dials, artifacts relating to astronomy, and a view into the ancient culture’s fascination with the sun and mapping the night sky.
The massive site, which begins with a main entrance facing east, toward the sunrise, includes an open, L-shaped hall, four mud-brick rooms, and a small stone room that once housed the observatory tower, according to the statement. Among the remains of the observatory was a stone sun dial the team is calling the “sloping shadow clock.”
The shadow clock features 15-foot-long limestone slabs topped with five limestone blocks—three standing vertically and two horizontally. The archaeologists believe, according to Asyman Ashmawy, head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, that the clock once contained inclined lines used to measure the inclinations of the sun’s shadow to monitor the movement of the sun during daylight hours.
The excavation team found another stone block installed on the floor of a circular hall and two more circular stone blocks positioned to the north and to the west, respectively, likely to take additional measurements of the sun. The stone platform in the middle of the hall featured inscriptions representing astronomical views, mostly of the sunrise and sunset during Egypt’s three seasons. The inscription also notes measurements of the temple gates and other signs that indicate astronomy was the main function of the site.
The Egyptians were one of the first groups to introduce the world to a 365-day calendar system and a 24-hour day, and they likely used the solar calendar to date religious and official rituals, such as the coronation of kings, the agricultural year, and key environmental changes.
Among the additional artifacts found at the site were measuring tools, necklaces, and pottery. Statues were also discovered throughout the temple-like site, including ones made from bronze, terra-cotta, and granite.
The four smaller, mud-brick rooms likely served as storage areas, while the stone room was probably the base of the observatory tower. The large hall included yellow mortar walls with the remains of a large mural, including a blue ritual boat with eight bows and two oars still visible. On the front of the boat were drawings of the god Horus and goddess Wadjet’s all-seeing eye, both meant to link the site to the sun and moon.
Tim Newcomb is a journalist based in the Pacific Northwest. He covers stadiums, sneakers, gear, infrastructure, and more for a variety of publications, including Popular Mechanics. His favorite interviews have included sit-downs with Roger Federer in Switzerland, Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles, and Tinker Hatfield in Portland.
