8 August 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

The first and largest astronomical observatory of the 6th century BC discovered in Egypt’s Kafr El-Sheikh

Archaeologists in Egypt unveiled the first and largest astronomical observatory from the 6th century BCE in the Buto Temple at Tell El-Faraeen archaeological site located in Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate.

The discovery was announced on the social media account of the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.

The observatory, which was made of mud brick, was crucial for monitoring the movements of the sun and stars. This astounding discovery demonstrates the ancient Egyptians’ profound understanding of and proficiency with astronomy.

“It highlights the advanced astronomical knowledge of the ancient Egyptians, including their ability to determine the solar calendar and significant religious and agricultural dates,” said Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA).

The structure also gives an insight into the sophisticated techniques employed by the ancient Egyptians using simple tools, he added.

The place where the first and largest Egyptian astronomical observatory from the sixth century BC was found. Photo: Egypt Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
The place where the first and largest Egyptian astronomical observatory from the sixth century BC was found. Photo: Egypt Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

The head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Ayman Ashmawy, said that the astronomical observatory building covers approximately 850 square meters.

It consists of an entrance facing east where the sun rises, he added, with a central columned hall open in the shape of the letter “L” preceded by a huge, high wall of mud bricks with an inward slope, resembling the style of the Egyptian edifice known in temple entrances.

Ashmawy said that the mission also found five mud brick rooms likely used to store tools, four small mud brick rooms, and a small stone room representing the observatory tower.

Some of the objects found in the astronomical observatory. Photo: Egypt Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
Some of the objects found in the astronomical observatory. Photo: Egypt Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

Among the key discoveries is a rare slanted stone sundial, referred to as a shadow clock, of its kind from that era. This sundial is made up of a 4.80-meter-long row of straight limestone slabs. On top were five flat blocks of limestone, two horizontal and three vertical. These slabs most likely had inclined lines on them that were used to gauge the sun’s shadow and angle, which made it easier to track the sun’s movements throughout the day.

Archaeologists also discovered a stone fixed to the floor of a circular chamber inside the observatory and two additional circular stones used to measure the sun’s inclination.

Some of the objects found in the astronomical observatory. Photo: Egypt Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
Some of the objects found in the astronomical observatory. Photo: Egypt Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

The work uncovered numerous artifacts, including a statue from the 26th Dynasty, a Merkhet measuring tool, and various religious items and pottery related to daily life and rituals, the ministry said in a statement.

The discovery highlights the value of Egyptian archaeological efforts in revealing new facets of the nation’s rich past and offers deeper insights into the scientific and religious practices of the ancient Egyptians.

Egypt Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

Cover Image: Egypt Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

Related Articles

Iconic 2,500-Year-Old Coțofenești Helmet and Dacian Treasures Stolen from Dutch Museum

26 January 2025

26 January 2025

A heist at the Drents Museum in Assen, Netherlands, has resulted in the theft of several invaluable artifacts from the...

Tomb of a Roman doctor buried with unique surgical tools unearthed in Hungary

28 April 2023

28 April 2023

Hungarian archaeologists discovered the tomb of a Roman doctor 1st-century man buried with high-quality surgical tools near the city of...

Intricate Design Revealed on 1100-Year-Old Gold-Inlaid Ritual Spear from Japan’s Island of the Gods

13 June 2025

13 June 2025

A recent archaeological breakthrough on Japan’s sacred Okinoshima Island has unveiled an ornately decorated iron spear from the late Kofun...

4,000-Year-Old Seal Found at Tavşanlı Mound in Western Türkiye

17 August 2024

17 August 2024

4,000-year-old seal were found at the Tavşanlı Mound (or Tavşanlı Höyük) in Türkiye’s Kütahya province—located in the west of the...

Rare bronze hand discovered in Roman Vindolanda, England

11 July 2023

11 July 2023

One of Europe’s most important Roman archeological sites is the Fort of Vindolanda, one of the earliest Roman garrisons built...

Seven Roman altars multicolored in the Great Northern Museum

12 November 2021

12 November 2021

We know that the ancient world is now very colorful. But these colors weren’t just limited to robes and other...

Remains of a Roman stylobate found in Montenegro

19 July 2023

19 July 2023

In ancient Rhizon (Risan) in Montenegro, remains of a Roman stylobate (a shared base for multiple columns) were uncovered. In...

1,800-year-old Bronze military medal with Medusa head found in southeastern Turkey

5 October 2022

5 October 2022

A military medal believed to be almost 1,800 years old has been found by archaeologists in Turkey. The discovery was...

A Rare Design in Roman Military Architecture: Triangular Stone Tower Discovered Near Sofia

22 July 2025

22 July 2025

Bulgarian archaeologists have uncovered a triangular stone tower — a rare architectural form in Roman military design — at the...

Archaeologists discover secondary gate of old Bazira city in Pakistan

26 March 2022

26 March 2022

Archaeologists claimed to have discovered the secondary gate of the city of Bazira during new excavations at Barikot in Pakistan’s...

Unearthing the Origins of Carnival: Evidence of Ancient Summer Festivals in Pre-Colonial Brazil

11 February 2025

11 February 2025

A new study suggests that pre-colonial people in Brazil gathered during the summer months to feast on migratory fish and...

11,000-Year-Old LSU Campus Mounds Are Oldest Known Human-Made Structures In North America

23 August 2022

23 August 2022

According to new research published in the American Journal of Science, two six-meter (20-foot) high mounds on the campus of...

Roman mosaic found under the pavement in the narrow streets of Hvar

13 February 2022

13 February 2022

In the Old Town on the Adriatic island of Hvar, Croatia, a Roman mosaic was unearthed beneath a narrow street....

A Colonnaded Hall with Extraordinary Frescoes of Still Life Found in Pompeii

27 December 2024

27 December 2024

Archaeologists in the famous ancient Roman city of Pompeii, one of the world’s most iconic archaeological sites, have revealed extraordinary...

400-year historical document confirms the martyrdom of Japanese Christians

27 February 2021

27 February 2021

In Japan, the suppression of Christianity increased from the end of the 16th century to the beginning of the 17th...