Archaeology & History

Archaeologists unearth ancient astronomical observatory in Egypt

By T.K. Randall
August 30, 2024 ·  1 comment

The observatory ruins. Image Credit: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities Dating back over 2,500 years, the observatory - which is situated in what is today known as the Temple of the Pharaohs in the town of Buto - would have been a wonder of its time.

The building itself was made from mud bricks and spanned an area of 850 square meters.

Inside, archaeologists from the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities discovered a number of artifacts including terracotta pottery fragments, measuring tools, necklaces and offering tables.

Perhaps most notable was a large sundial-like clock made from huge limestone slabs that would have been used by ancient astronomers to keep track of the time of day.A large stone block in an adjacent circular room was also used to track the inclination of the Sun.

The observatory also had five smaller rooms, presumably to store tools and supplies, as well as a tower-like structure and a large hall decorated with a set of impressive murals.

The ancient Egyptians were particularly skilled at astronomy and were not only able to map the night sky, but also had their own constellations and zodiac.

They were also responsible for inventing the 365-day calendar and 24-hour day.

The remains of this observatory stand as testament to their skills and achievements.

Source: Science Alert | Comments (1)

Tags: Egypt