Most Significant Discovery In 50 Years: The Forgotten Egyptian Sun Temple
Archaeologists were completely taken aback when they recently unearthed the remnants of what is thought to have been one of the six sun temples constructed by the pharaohs of the Dynasty V from the Old Kingdom of Egypt.
The site, known among the most important ones in terms of archaeological value for several decades, is located in Abu Gorab, south of Cairo and north of the archaeology site of Abusir.
According to the experts, the remnants of the 3rd sun temple is mysteriously located underneath the remnants of the later Nyuserre sun temple, erected by Nyuserre Ini, the sixth ruler of the Fifth Dynasty during the Old Kingdom period.
Dr Massimiliano Nuzzolo, assistant professor of Egyptology at the Academy of Sciences in Warsaw, said: “We knew that there was something below the stone temple of Nyuserre. The fact that there is such a huge entrance would point to a new building. So, why not another sun temple, one of the missing sun temples?”
Meanwhile, Egyptian built pyramids with the purpose of providing pharaoh a final resting places, guaranteeing their rebirth into divine beings in their nirvana. Recorded documents speak of 6-7 distinct sun temples erected by 6 pharaohs of Dynasty V, including Userkaf, Sahure, Neferirkare, Reneferef or Neferefre, Nyuserre, and Menkauhor and the practice were discontinued by the 8th, Djedkare Isesi.
The remains of the first two temples found are from the one built by pharaoh Userkaf in Abusir and by pharaoh Nyuserre Ini of the same dynasty in Abu Gorab, respectively.
Nonetheless, it costed scientist 5 more decades to discover more proof, notably an array of beer jars full of mud, which clearly suggests that this was part of a totally different and older temple compared to the temple on the surface.
Dr Nuzzolo stated, “I have now many proofs that what we are excavating here is one of the lost sun temples.” The reason why the beer jars filled with mud can confirm the location of the 3rd sun temple from the Fifth Dynasty is that, they were valuable religious offerings made by ancient Egyptians at their most sacred sites, not to mention the discovery of architectural ruins as well.
Despite the fact that most of them are mostly destroyed, scientists revealed that they were open-air worship sites, instead of closed ones, based on the trace of their remains. This latest discovery confirms that this ancient civilization, a focus of archaeological study and funding for more than a century, hasn’t yielded all its secrets and that many sensational discoveries still remain hidden.
You can check out this VIDEO below and form your own opinion:
H/T: Ancient Origins
The site, known among the most important ones in terms of archaeological value for several decades, is located in Abu Gorab, south of Cairo and north of the archaeology site of Abusir.
Source: MCPR Image
According to the experts, the remnants of the 3rd sun temple is mysteriously located underneath the remnants of the later Nyuserre sun temple, erected by Nyuserre Ini, the sixth ruler of the Fifth Dynasty during the Old Kingdom period.
Dr Massimiliano Nuzzolo, assistant professor of Egyptology at the Academy of Sciences in Warsaw, said: “We knew that there was something below the stone temple of Nyuserre. The fact that there is such a huge entrance would point to a new building. So, why not another sun temple, one of the missing sun temples?”
Source: MCPR Image
The Fifth Dynasty: Constructors of the Ra Sun Temples
Acient Egypt’s sun temples were built to show the faithfulness and devotion towards Ra, the ancient Egyptian sun god, also hailed as the creator god of the Egyptian pantheon, meant to confer god status on the pharaohs constructing them, granting the pharaoh god status during their lives.Meanwhile, Egyptian built pyramids with the purpose of providing pharaoh a final resting places, guaranteeing their rebirth into divine beings in their nirvana. Recorded documents speak of 6-7 distinct sun temples erected by 6 pharaohs of Dynasty V, including Userkaf, Sahure, Neferirkare, Reneferef or Neferefre, Nyuserre, and Menkauhor and the practice were discontinued by the 8th, Djedkare Isesi.
The remains of the first two temples found are from the one built by pharaoh Userkaf in Abusir and by pharaoh Nyuserre Ini of the same dynasty in Abu Gorab, respectively.
The Older Temple at Abu Gorab
The 3rd sun temple discovered to date is located right under the surface of the temple of Nyuserre, reigning nearly 30 years in the late 25th century BC, making the latest finding at Abu Gorab intriguing.
Source: MCPR Image
Nonetheless, it costed scientist 5 more decades to discover more proof, notably an array of beer jars full of mud, which clearly suggests that this was part of a totally different and older temple compared to the temple on the surface.
Dr Nuzzolo stated, “I have now many proofs that what we are excavating here is one of the lost sun temples.” The reason why the beer jars filled with mud can confirm the location of the 3rd sun temple from the Fifth Dynasty is that, they were valuable religious offerings made by ancient Egyptians at their most sacred sites, not to mention the discovery of architectural ruins as well.
Source: MCPR Image
Despite the fact that most of them are mostly destroyed, scientists revealed that they were open-air worship sites, instead of closed ones, based on the trace of their remains. This latest discovery confirms that this ancient civilization, a focus of archaeological study and funding for more than a century, hasn’t yielded all its secrets and that many sensational discoveries still remain hidden.
You can check out this VIDEO below and form your own opinion:
H/T: Ancient Origins
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