2,500-year-old ‘first and largest’ ancient Egyptian astronomy observatory unearthed

In a major archaeological find, the remains of the first-ever ancient Egyptian astronomical observatory have been unearthed.

This 2,500-year-old observatory, which dates back to the sixth century BC, was discovered in the ancient city of Buto — today an archeological site known as Tell Al-Faraeen near Kafr El-Sheikh.

This unique discovery offers a rare glimpse into the advanced astronomical knowledge of ancient Egyptian civilization.

Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced the discovery of this astronomical observatory, which is considered to be the “first and largest” of its time.

The remains were found three years ago during the excavation work on this site.

“Everything we found shattered our expectations,” Hossam Ghonim, director general of Kafr El-Sheikh Antiquities, told Live Science.

L-shaped observatory

The observatory’s intricate design and artifacts reveal a deep connection between astronomy and the Egyptians’ spiritual beliefs.

The Egyptian archaeological team unearthed the remains of a large, L-shaped structure constructed of mud brick. This expansive area covered over 9,150 square feet (850 square meters).

The observatory’s design allowed priests to track the sun and stars with incredible precision. A sundial, a timekeeping device “merkhet,” and inscribed stones provided tools for measuring time and understanding celestial movements.

Notably, the slanted stone sundial was utilized to measure the shifting angles of the sun’s shadows to determine the times of sunrise, noon, and sunset.

Reportedly, a carving of the “smn pe” — meaning the celestial observer — is still visible on the structure. This figure symbolizes the ancient Egyptians’ deep connection to the cosmic world and their belief in the importance of observing celestial bodies.

The discovery of a sundial, alongside other artifacts and inscriptions, played a pivotal role in confirming the structure’s function as an observatory.

Various artifacts showcased astronomical practice

The observatory’s artifacts and inscriptions demonstrate their capacity to establish the solar calendar , watch seasonal variations, and time key events such as religious ceremonies and agricultural cycles.

Moreover, the discovery of an inscribed stone mat depicting astronomical views of sunrise and sunset across three seasons further highlights their understanding of celestial phenomena.

“The ancient Egyptians envisioned the Earth and sky as two mats. They mapped the sky on the ‘Themet Hrt’ — the sky mat — and the ‘Themet Ghrt,’ or Earth mat, represented their calendar, marking events like the Nile flood and harvest. This is the first inscribed stone mat of its kind ever discovered,” Ghonim explained to Live Science.

The unusual placement of pillars at the entrance of the observatory suggests that it is not a traditional temple as expected.

The team hypothesizes that these pillars might represent the ancient Egyptians’ division of time into seasons, months, and weeks. Interestingly, the excavation uncovered a limestone watchtower — believed to have been one of a pair of structures designed for observing the constellations.

They found a statue of Horus, a prominent deity in Egyptian mythology associated with the sun, moon, and the goddess Wadjet. In addition, pottery used in religious ceremonies was also unearthed, highlighting the spiritual significance of this place.