Archaeologists Discover the Largest Known Observatory of Ancient Egypt

Excavation Site
Image Credit: Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced the discovery of an observatory that is approximately 2,500 years old.

Egypt has been the center of science and mystery for centuries and has been home to countless discoveries. However, the latest findings in Kafr El Sheikh could completely change what we know about astronomy in the ancient world.

The observatory, which dates back to around the 6th century BC, is the largest of its kind at the time and is of invaluable value to human history. Archaeologists believe that many astronomers in Late Ancient Egypt worked at this observatory made of mud bricks to track the positions of the sun and other celestial objects.

Structural Features of the Observatory Have Similarities with Temple Architecture

The observatory, located in the Tell El-Faraeen archaeological site, was built on an area of ​​approximately 850 square meters (9,149 square feet or 1,017 square yards). The main entrance of the observatory, facing east, was specially designed for watching the sunrise. When entering from this entrance, one encounters an open L-shaped central columned hall. This style of construction has been likened to designs often seen at temple entrances in Ancient Egypt.

One of the most striking elements of the observatory is its large and high adobe walls that slope inward. These walls concentrated the sun’s shadows and light at certain points, probably making observations more precise. The structure also has an observation tower consisting of five adobe rooms, four smaller adobe rooms, and a stone room. It is thought that these areas were designed to store the instruments used in the observatory and to provide astronomers with comfortable work during observations.

One of the most important discoveries inside the observatory is the inclined stone sundial, which was called the “shadow clock” at the time. This sundial was placed on a row of flat limestone slabs that were 4.80 meters (15.75 feet) long. On the top horizontal and vertical slabs are inclined lines, most likely used to track the sun’s movements during the day. Thanks to these lines, the ancient Egyptians were able to measure the sun’s shadow and angle precisely.

Some of the objects found in the observatory.
Image Credit: Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

The excavations also discovered a stone fixed to the floor of a circular room inside the observatory and two more circular stones used to measure the sun’s declination. These findings indicate that the ancient Egyptians had astronomical knowledge not only based on observations but also supported by mathematical calculations.

It Was Used for Both Scientific and Religious Purposes

As for Ayman Ashmawy, who is in charge of the Antiquities Department related to Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, he said that this observatory illustrates the old Egyptians’ capacity to set essential religious and farming dates. This ancient observatory probably allowed ancient Egyptians to track equinoxes, solstices, and lunar eclipses that agricultural societies relied upon in planning both their rituals as well as growing crops.

Some of the objects found in the observatory.
Image Credit: Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

A statue made during 26th Dynasty era and a device for measuring called Merkhet are some of the other significant artifacts discovered during excavations. During ancient time in Egypt, the Merkhet was a tool used for time measurement and celestial observations. This device is thus regarded as one of the evidences that suggest that observatory served both scientific and religious purposes.