Kufr Sheikh, Egypt

The ruined building constituted the largest astronomical observatory ever seen in Egypt in the 6th century BCE. It is located in Kafr Sheikh, which is said to have been famous for stargazing among the ancient Egyptians.

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It is almost 2500 years old, and part of it is known as the Temple of the Padharos in Buto.

Earlier, astronomers used to track the motions of the sun and the stars, which was believed to be a trivial part of ancient Egyptian culture.

Ancient history suggests that the Egyptians were recognized as the most proficient and skilled astronomers in the world in primitive times.

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The Egyptians established the 365-day calendar, and they even divided the day into 24 hours. They completely mapped out the night sky, forming their own constellations and the zodiac.

The architecture of the building

The observatory was built of mud bricks, covering 850 square metres (9,150 square feet), in an L-shape supported by pillars, with an opening in the direction of the sunrise.

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Archaeologists from Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities discovered artifacts and paraphernalia associated with the observation of the sky.

The large sloping shadow clock, designed by Egyptians to keep track of time, is known as a sundial. The time was determined by the movement of the shadow and the sun across the sky.

The device included a 4.8-metre course of limestone slabs, on which five flat stone blocks were placed—three vertical and two horizontal. These stones were used for the concept of time.

The large stone clock was found shaped in a circular room, with two circular stones placed in one corner of the north and the south for the observation of time.

Five small rooms were made to keep the observatory tools, while four small mud bricks were used as an observatory tower. One huge space was also found with three walls coated in yellow mortar, on which murals were painted.

Bronze, terracotta and granite statues found among artifacts

The artifacts found include bronze statues of Osiris and Nemes, a terracotta statue of the god Bes, and a granite statue from the 26th Dynasty, during the reign of Pharaoh Wahibre Psamtik I. The statue portrays Osiris and is inscribed with the name of the priest Psamtik Seneb, who held the royal seal.

Other artifacts include measuring tools, a faience menat necklace, a faience statue of the god Ptah, faience religious symbols, pottery artifacts, amphora covers made of mortar, and offering tables.