New Delhi, December 24: An archaeological excavation near the Egyptian capital Cairo has caught the attention of historians and scientists around the world. Archaeologists have discovered a 4,500-year-old temple dedicated to the sun god. The discovery was made by a joint Italian and Polish archaeological mission working at the temple of the Fifth Dynasty pharaoh King Nesre.
Egypt is known for its pyramids, mummies and tombs. But the discovery of this sun temple shows how deeply important life, power and celestial powers were in ancient Egypt.
According to experts, the temple dates back to the Fifth Dynasty of Egypt (2465-2323 BC). It was built in the 19th century BC. It is believed to have been built by Pharaoh Nesre I, who ruled from 2420 to 2389 BC. At that time, the sun god Ra was considered the creator of the universe. That is why sun temples were not just places of worship. They were also symbols of power and legitimacy. This discovery provides evidence that politics, religion, and gods were intertwined.
During the excavations, a religious calendar carved on stone was also found inside the temple. It mentions festivals associated with Soker, Min, and Ra. The most interesting thing is that the roof of the temple was used to study the stars and planets. This sun temple was not just a religious place. It clearly indicates that it was an important center of astronomy in ancient Egypt. This means that the Egyptians also knew about the sky, time, and weather.
The temple covers an area of about 10,000 square feet. Its grandeur is evident in the white limestone carvings, granite columns, long corridors and stairs leading to the roof. Ancient Egyptian Senetka pots, beer glasses and wooden fragments have also been found in the temple.
This 4,500-year-old sun temple challenges the idea that Egypt was just a civilization of tombs. The discovery reveals that ancient Egypt was a highly developed culture with a deep understanding of life, energy, science and the universe.