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    Archaeologists Unearth Rare Egyptian Structure, ‘First and Largest’ of Its Kind

    By Declan Gallagher,

    2024-09-02

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3zVEC6_0vIBHAxC00

    Archaeologists in Egypt have identified the country’s first recorded astronomical observatory , which, according to experts, is the “first and largest” discovery of its kind, Live Science reported.

    The structure, which dates back to the sixth century B.C., was discovered three years ago during excavations of a site in the ancient city of Buto, now Tell Al-Faraeen, within Egypt's Kafr El-Sheikh region.

    "Everything we found shattered our expectations," Hossam Ghonim, head of the expedition, told the outlet of the L-shaped observatory, which covers more than 9,150 square feet. He explained that the structure’s entrance faces east and is marked by a traditional gate known as a pylon which leads to an area where sunlight would have illuminated the space where the sky observer, a person known as “smn pe” who was usually a priest, stood to read the sun and stars.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2bh7QK_0vIBHAxC00
    The site at Tell Al-Faraeen, formerly Buto.

    Courtesy of the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

    Through further inspection, they were able to deduce through the discovery of granite and bronze statues, as well as pottery from religious rituals, that the structure was in use during the sixth century B.C.

    When the team made their discovery in 2021, they initially believed it to be a religious temple of some sort. But as their excavation continued, they uncovered various artifacts and symbols which related to time and astronomy. That culminated in a remarkable find which made clear the building’s ancient purpose.

    Ghonim explained: "Along the hall's northern side, we discovered a slanted stone sundial—a sun shadow clock that used the shifting angles of the sun's shadows to determine sunrise, noon, and sunset—a simple yet profound method.”

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0eopLd_0vIBHAxC00
    Ancient coins and artifacts discovered at the site.

    Courtesy of the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3bCb8Y_0vIBHAxC00
    Granite statues found indicate the spiritual significance of the site.

    Courtesy of the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4QybG8_0vIBHAxC00
    Terra cotta masks and pottery, believed to have been used in religious rituals.

    Courtesy of the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2jhr1N_0vIBHAxC00
    More religious relics and artifacts recovered from the site.

    Courtesy of the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

    Archaeologists also found inscriptions within the observatory depicting sunrises and sunsets over three distinct seasons. "The ancient Egyptians envisioned the Earth and sky as two mats," Ghonim explained. "They mapped the sky on the 'Themet Hrt,’ 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."

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0oLc3s_0vIBHAxC00
    Stone carvings and tools found at the site.

    Courtesy of the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3J8FTD_0vIBHAxC00
    Inscribed stones found at the observatory.

    Courtesy of the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

    Ghonim also noted an unusual “triad of pillars” at the structure’s entrance. "We theorized that these pillars might represent the ancient Egyptians' tripartite division of time into seasons, months, and weeks," he said.

    Researchers say these discoveries illuminate previously unrecognized astronomical techniques employed by ancient Egyptians to determine the solar calendar, such as religious and agricultural dates of significance.

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    Comments / 9
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    ChillinMcMillan
    09-03
    Absolutely incredible.
    Walter Meetze
    09-02
    yay, humanity is saved 🤮
    View all comments
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