When Egyptian archaeologists began their routine excavations in the ancient city of Buto in the Kafr el-Sheikh Governorate three years ago, they could never have imagined that they were about to make a discovery that would revolutionize our understanding of ancient Egyptian science. What initially appeared to be the ordinary remains of a temple turned out to be the first astronomical observatory ever found in Ancient Egypt—a structure that demonstrates the incredible depth of scientific knowledge possessed by a civilization that flourished 2,500 years ago.
The location where this sensational discovery was made is itself steeped in history. Tell el-Faraeen, as ancient Buto is now known, is situated between the Taly (Bolbitine) and Thermuthiac (Sebennytic) branches of the Nile, several kilometers north of the east-west Butic River. This city was not merely a settlement but a sacred ceremonial center dedicated to the goddess Wadjet, who was considered the patroness and protector of all Egypt. It was here, among the ruins of the temple dedicated to this powerful deity, that archaeologists stumbled upon evidence that the ancient Egyptians possessed astronomical knowledge far surpassing all previous scholarly assumptions.
Excavation director Ayman Ghonim recalls how the team was initially certain they had discovered yet another temple. However, as work progressed, strange artifacts and carved symbols began to emerge—Chen, Cenet, and Benu—which clearly related to time and astronomical observations. The true turning point came with the discovery of massive sundials, which, together with numerous inscriptions, artifacts, and the building’s layout itself, finally convinced researchers that they were looking at an astronomical observatory.
The scale of the structure is breathtaking. The observatory covers an area of approximately 850 square meters, making it not only the first but also the largest known astronomical structure of its time. The building was constructed using mudbrick technology that allowed it to survive for more than two and a half millennia. The architectural solution of the observatory demonstrates the ingenious combination of functionality and symbolism characteristic of ancient Egyptian builders.
The central part of the structure consists of an unusually L-shaped hall with columns, fronted by a massive mudbrick wall with a characteristic inward slope. This wall is executed in the style typical of Egyptian temple entrances, immediately indicating the close connection between scientific observations and religious practices. The observatory’s entrance is specifically oriented toward the east, where the sun rises—this is not coincidental but a deliberate architectural decision that allowed priest-astronomers to accurately track the movement of the primary celestial body.
The building’s interior layout testifies to its multifunctional purpose. Archaeologists discovered five mudbrick rooms that apparently served to store astronomical instruments, four small chambers, and a special stone room representing the observatory tower. Particular attention is drawn to a relatively large hall, three walls of which are covered with yellow tiles featuring decorative scenes. The walls preserve remnants of blue paintings depicting a ritual boat with eight compartments, adorned with images of the falcon head of Horus and the Eye of Wadjet—symbols that embodied systems for observing celestial bodies.
But the true treasures of the observatory are its astronomical instruments and devices. Along the northern side of the central hall, archaeologists discovered slanted stone sundials—shadow clocks that used the changing angles of solar shadows to determine the times of sunrise, noon, and sunset. These timepieces consist of a straight row of limestone slabs approximately 4.8 meters long with several vertical and horizontal blocks that allowed astronomers to measure the angle of solar rays and shadow length throughout the day with astonishing precision.
Ayman Ashmawy, head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, called these sundials one of the most significant artifacts discovered at the site, as they vividly demonstrate Egyptian mastery in timekeeping and their profound understanding of solar movement. The apparent simplicity of these clocks’ construction is deceptive—behind their outward unpretentiousness lies a deep understanding of astronomical processes and mathematical principles.
No less important was the discovery of a merkhet—an ancient Egyptian measuring and chronometric instrument used for astronomical calculations. This device allowed priest-astronomers to conduct precise observations of stars and planets, track their movement across the sky, and compile calendars. The discovery of the merkhet in the observatory confirms that this was not simply a place for observations but a genuine scientific research center equipped with the most advanced instruments of its time.
Perhaps the most remarkable discovery, however, was a stone platform with carved depictions of astronomical events. This stone bears images of sunrise and sunset views throughout the three Egyptian seasons, as well as measurements that were likely taken through the temple’s eastern and western doors. Ghonim explains the significance of this find: the ancient Egyptians conceived of Earth and sky as two mats—the celestial mat “Themet Hrt,” on which they mapped the sky, and the terrestrial mat “Themet Ghrt,” which represented their calendar and marked such important events as the Nile flood and harvest time. The discovered stone platform became the first carved mat of its kind, making this find truly unique.
The religious artifacts found in the observatory reveal another important aspect of this structure. Among them stands out a statue from the 26th Dynasty depicting the priest Psammetichus Smen holding a statue of the god Osiris. This find is symbolic, since Osiris in Egyptian mythology was closely connected to the constellation Orion, once again emphasizing the inseparable link between astronomical observations and the religious beliefs of the ancient Egyptians. Additionally, archaeologists discovered a bronze figure of Osiris with a serpent, a terracotta statue, and a necklace of the goddess Venus Minnet, as well as numerous ceramic items used in religious rituals.
The structure also preserves a carving of “smn pe” facing the rising sun—a figure that symbolizes the ancient Egyptians’ connection to the cosmos. On the hall walls, one can see images of a ritual boat with symbols of the falcon-headed god Horus and the Eye of Wadjet, testifying that astronomical observations were an integral part of religious life and state ceremonies.
The observatory’s architectural features also carry deep meaning. The unusual placement of columns at the hall’s entrance differs from the typical structure of ancient Egyptian monuments, where columns were usually installed at the end of the hall. This indicates that the observatory’s builders consciously departed from traditional temple architectural canons to create optimal conditions for astronomical observations.
The observatory was used not only for observing celestial bodies but also played a key role in the public life of ancient Egypt. Temple astrologers were particularly skilled in observing stars, tracking conjunctions and risings of the Sun, Moon, and planets, as well as monitoring lunar phases. Their work had enormous practical significance—astronomy played a crucial role in establishing dates for religious festivals, determining nighttime hours, planning agricultural work, and even conducting state ceremonies such as pharaonic coronations.
The observatory’s ability to track the solar calendar and determine important dates for religious and state functions demonstrates how deeply astronomical knowledge was integrated into the daily life of ancient Egyptian society. Priest-astronomers did not simply observe the sky out of scientific curiosity—their work was vital for the functioning of the state and maintaining religious order.
Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, emphasizes that this discovery demonstrates the advanced astronomical knowledge of the ancient Egyptians, including their ability to determine the solar calendar and significant religious and agricultural dates. The finds in the observatory testify that Egyptian astronomers possessed a deep understanding of seasonal changes and variations in day length, allowing them to create accurate calendars and predict important natural phenomena.
The discovery of this observatory fundamentally changes our conception of astronomical development in the ancient world. Before this find, scholars believed that the first serious astronomical observatories appeared much later, in the Hellenistic period. Now it becomes clear that the Egyptians created a complex system of astronomical observations as early as the 6th century BCE, and possibly even earlier.
The uniqueness of this discovery lies not only in its antiquity but also in how it demonstrates the integration of science, religion, and state governance in ancient Egyptian society. The observatory was not simply a scientific institution—it represented a center where the most important aspects of Egyptian civilization intertwined: worship of the gods, state governance, planning of agricultural work, and development of scientific knowledge.
Research on this observatory continues, and each new excavation season brings amazing discoveries. Archaeologists hope to find additional instruments, observation records, and perhaps even astronomical texts that will help understand the scientific achievements of the ancient Egyptians even more deeply. It is already clear that this discovery opens a new chapter in the study of astronomical history and forces a reconsideration of many established ideas about the scientific achievements of ancient civilizations.
The observatory at Tell el-Faraeen stands as a silent witness that the ancient Egyptians were not only great pyramid builders and skilled embalmers but also outstanding scientists whose astronomical knowledge laid foundations for scientific development for millennia to come. This discovery reminds us that humanity’s quest to understand the universe and our place within it is one of the most ancient and noble traits of our civilization.
Sources:
- Live Science: “Everything we found shattered our expectations’: Archaeologists discover 1st astronomical observatory from ancient Egypt” (August 29, 2024) – https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/ancient-egyptians/everything-we-found-shattered-our-expectations-archaeologists-discover-1st-ancient-astronomical-observatory-from-ancient-egypt
- Archaeology Magazine: “2,500-Year-Old Astronomical Observatory Discovered in Egypt” (August 28, 2024) – https://archaeology.org/news/2024/08/28/2500-year-old-astronomical-observatory-discovered-in-egypt/
- Smithsonian Magazine: “This Massive Egyptian Observatory Is Unlocking Celestial Secrets of an Ancient Culture” (August 28, 2024) – https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-massive-egyptian-observatory-is-unlocking-celestial-secrets-of-an-ancient-culture-180984985/
- Space.com: “Archaeologists find huge, 2,500-year-old Egyptian astronomy observatory” (August 29, 2024) – https://www.space.com/ancient-egyptian-observatory-tracked-sun-stars
- Artnet News: “Discovery of Massive Ancient Egyptian Observatory Shines Light on Astronomical History” (August 26, 2024) – https://news.artnet.com/art-world/ancient-egypt-astronomical-observatory-found-2527992
- Heritage Daily: “Ancient astronomical observatory discovered in Kafr El-Sheikh” (August 23, 2024) – https://www.heritagedaily.com/2024/08/ancient-astronomical-observatory-discovered-in-kafr-el-sheikh/153295
- Ancient Origins: “Astronomical Observatory in Kafr El-Sheikh Unveils Advanced Knowledge of the Cosmos” (August 24, 2024) – https://www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/ancient-egyptian-observatory-0021321
- Egypt Independent: “Photos: Egypt uncovers largest ever astronomical observatory from ancient times” (August 24, 2024) – https://www.egyptindependent.com/photos-egypt-uncovers-largest-ever-astronomical-observatory-from-ancient-times/
- Archaeology News Online Magazine: “Ancient astronomical observatory discovered in Egypt” (January 25, 2025) – https://archaeologymag.com/2024/08/astronomical-observatory-discovered-in-kafr-el-sheikh/
