A team of Egyptian archaeologists has made an astounding discovery: the first recorded ancient Egyptian astronomical observatory. Located in the ancient city of Buto, now known as Tell Al-Faraeen, this sixth-century B.C. structure is not only the first of its kind but also the largest, according to the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.
The discovery, made during excavations over the past three years, has revealed a wealth of information about the ancient Egyptians’ sophisticated understanding of astronomy and their profound connection to the cosmos. The observatory, a sprawling L-shaped mud-brick building spanning over 9,150 square feet, boasts a unique architectural design. Its east-facing entrance, adorned with a traditional pylon, leads to a designated spot where sunlight would illuminate the sky observer, known as ‘smn pe’ – typically a priest – allowing him to meticulously track the sun and stars. The structure even features a carving of ‘smn pe’ facing the rising sun, symbolizing the ancient Egyptians’ deep connection to the heavens.
Initially, the team believed they had unearthed a temple. However, as the excavation progressed, they unearthed artifacts and inscribed symbols, such as Chen, Cenet, and Benu, strongly linked to time and astronomy. The discovery of a massive sundial, along with numerous inscriptions, artifacts, and the unique layout of the building, solidified the researchers’ conclusion that they had stumbled upon an observatory.
A key discovery was a slanted stone sundial, a sun shadow clock used to determine sunrise, noon, and sunset based on the shifting angles of the sun’s shadows. This simple yet ingenious method sheds light on the ancient Egyptians’ advanced timekeeping techniques. Another significant find was an ancient Egyptian timekeeping device known as a ‘merkhet,’ also dating back to the sixth century B.C.
These findings offer valuable insights into the astronomical techniques employed by the ancient Egyptians to establish their solar calendar and pinpoint the dates of religious and official rituals, such as the coronation of kings and the agricultural year.
Inside the observatory hall, the archaeologists found a stone inscription depicting astronomical views of sunrise and sunset across three seasons. Notably, the inscription illustrates the ancient Egyptian concept of the Earth and sky as two mats. They mapped the sky on the ‘Themet Hrt,’ or sky mat, and the ‘Themet Ghrt,’ or Earth mat, which represented their calendar, marking significant events like the Nile flood and harvest. This discovery marks the first inscribed stone mat of its kind ever found.
The unusual placement of a ‘triad of pillars’ at the hall’s entrance, diverging from the typical structure of ancient Egyptian monuments, further reinforces the observatory’s unique nature. The archaeologists theorize that these pillars represent the ancient Egyptians’ tripartite division of time into seasons, months, and weeks.
In contrast to traditional monuments with a single pylon, the observatory features two pylons facing each other, framing the circular observatory spot and symbolizing ‘akhet,’ the horizon where the sun rises. Opposite this ‘akhet’ stood a limestone watchtower, likely once paired with another, used to observe constellations.
The excavation also unearthed a statue of the falcon-headed god Horus. The depiction of Horus, alongside an eye of Horus, embodies the systems of the universe and is linked to the sun, the moon, the god Horus, and the goddess Wadjet, the most important gods of Buto.
In ancient times, Buto was dedicated to the goddess Wadjet, a serpent goddess known for protecting the king. The analysis of the observatory provides compelling evidence of Wadjet’s significant importance to Buto. Inside the observatory, archaeologists discovered a gray granite statue of King Psamtik I from the Saite era (the 26th dynasty) and a bronze figure of Osiris, a god associated with the underworld and resurrection, holding a serpent, referencing the goddess Wadjet. These artifacts, alongside various pottery items used in religious rituals, date the observatory to the sixth century B.C. and highlight its dual role in scientific study and spiritual practice.
