Archaeologists have found the lost third Solar Temple: The most significant discovery of the last 50 years

Recently, archaeologists discovered the ruins of a sanctuary in Abusir, Egypt, which they consider the third Solar temple. The discovery is as exciting as it is unexpected: the temple was located under the remains of another sanctuary. Pharaoh Niuserre built it on this site for unknown reasons.

Once upon a time, the pharaohs of the fifth Dynasty built six sun temples. For centuries, no one knew where they had gone. Researchers in the 20th century found only two of them. To this day, all four remaining ones are considered irretrievably lost. Scientists called the third temple the most significant discovery in the last 50 years.

Half a century of obscurity

A joint Italian-Polish archaeological mission was working on the excavations in Abusir. Experts were studying the ruins of the temple of Pharaoh Niuserre (2449-2418 BC). Under its remains, they unexpectedly came across an older adobe building. To the delight of archaeologists, this was most likely one of the lost Solar temples of the Fifth Dynasty. There were six in total; two were discovered, and this is the third. These sanctuaries are known to scientists only from historical documents.

More than half a century has passed since the second Solar Temple was opened. This is due to the excitement scientists experienced when they accidentally stumbled upon such an important ancient archaeological site.

Why did Niuserre destroy the temple of the sun

Experts say the excavations will be completed soon. So far, the remains of the building can be accessed through a limestone doorway. It leads to a space between warehouses to the north and an expansive courtyard to the west. The floors are paved with mud bricks. Substantial quartz blocks, some of which have a satin surface, are embedded in the floor under the temple of Niuserre. The latter partially destroyed the building to build his sanctuary on top of it.

Archaeologists have found many ceramic vessels that may have been used in rituals and the remains of beer jugs and other ceramic items. Visit . A F R I N I K . C O M . For the full article. Ancient Egyptians used such vessels only in the most sacred places. Their discovery here and specific architectural elements confirmed that archaeologists had found the third Solar Temple of the Fifth Dynasty.

The foundation of an ancient temple made of mud bricks was discovered. Inside, scientists have extracted fragments of clay seals with royal names from the ruins, including Horus and Pharaoh Shepseskaf from the Fifth Dynasty (2463-2456 BC), about whom history knows almost nothing. New findings can tell a lot about the activities of this ruler, which can radically change his understanding of his history personally and the V Dynasty as a whole.

The solar temples were built according to the same pattern. Each had a courtyard, a column, and an obelisk. Like the pyramids, they had a separate entrance and exit and were built on the west coast of the Nile. They were dedicated to the pharaohs who built them, giving them a divine status. Niucerre wanted to surpass his predecessors.

What were the Solar temples for

Historical documents mention six temples of the sun. Scientists were able to find only two of them. The one that was discovered recently became the third. These sanctuaries were dedicated to the sun god Ra. This potent deity was the main one among all the gods of Ancient Egypt. Temples gave the pharaohs who built them a divine status.

The pyramids were intended to preserve the bodies of the rulers so that they could be resurrected in divine form in the afterlife. Seven pharaohs of the fifth Dynasty built such temples. The eighth Pharaoh, Djedkare Isesi, abolished this practice.