Ancient Wonder: 6th-Century BC Astronomical Observatory Discovered in Egypt

Archaeologists in Egypt have unearthed a 6th-century BC astronomical observatory. The discovery has been made by a team from the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities in Kafr El Sheikh, Science Alert reported.

According to experts, the ruined building was used by people 2,500 years ago to gaze at the stars. Back then, it was known as the largest astronomical observatory in the country.

The building was the favorite among astronomers who spent their time tracking the movement of the sun and stars, Science Alert reported. The astronomers were held to a high standard in the 6th century BC Egypt.

The professionals mapped the night sky and formulated several constellations and zodiacs, many of which are still in use. Even the dates of political and religious rituals were set after suggestions from astronomers.

Astronomy was used in ancient Egypt to track important phenomena like the annual flooding of the Nile, agriculture, and navigation, Science Alert reported. 

Egyptian astronomy continues to impact present-day society. The findings made by astronomers from Egypt led to the concept of a 365-day calendar and a 24-hour day.

The observatory discovered by astronomers has several features that indicate, the objective for which, the professionals used it, back in the day. The entrance of the structure is facing east, which must have made it easy for astronomers to track the sun. 

Experts discovered several artifacts and paraphernalia related to the study of the sky inside the ruined building. There was a large sloping shadow clock, a device designed by Egyptians to keep track of time. These clocks were similar to sundials and used shadows to track the time of day from dawn to dusk.

The clock found in the observatory had a 4.8-meter (15.7-foot) course of limestone slabs, Science Alert reported. On the huge apparatus five flat limestone blocks, three vertical and two horizontal, were placed. Experts believe there were lines on these blocks to track the changing shape of the shadow as the sun made its movement in the sky. 

There was a circular room in the building that contained a large stone block, as well as, two circular stone blocks, one at the north and one at the west. This apparatus was also used for monitoring the inclination of the sun.

The building had five smaller rooms that had observatory tools, Science Alert reported. In addition, there were, four small mud-brick rooms and one stone room, which seem to have been used as the tower.

A large hall was also found, where various murals had been painted. In the middle of the hall, there was a stone platform, on which there were inscriptions related to astronomical scenes of sunrise and sunset during the three seasons observed in ancient Egypt.