One of lost 'sun temples' likely discovered in Egypt

2 years ago

Visitors gather before sunrise outside Ramses II's (1279-1213 BC) Great Temple in Egypt's southern town of Abu Simbel ahead of the solar alignment early on February 22, 2022. - The sun illuminates the temple's inner sanctuary only twice a year with a wide belief among archaeologists that the two days mark the pharaoh's birthday and day of coronation. The temple, constructed circa 1264 BC, was cut out of sandstone cliffs above the Nile River in an area near the second cataract. It was saved from the rising waters of Lake Nasser created by the construction of the Aswan High Dam in the 1960s by an international campaign led by UNESCO to move the temple to higher ground. (Photo by Mohamed ASAD / AFP) (Photo by MOHAMED ASAD/AFP via Getty Images)

Archaeologists have discovered a mud-brick building believed to be one of the lost “sun temples” south of the Egyptian capital Cairo, Anadolu Agency reported.

The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said the building was found by an Italian-Polish archaeological mission in the Abusir region, south of Cairo.

“Preliminary studies indicate that the new discovery may be one of the four lost sun temples that date back to the Fifth Dynasty (2465 to 2323 BC),” the ministry added in a statement.

According to the statement, part of the building was removed by King Nyuserre to build his temple.

The ministry said excavations will continue at the site to get more information about the discovered building.

Sun temples were built in dedication to Ra, the sun god in ancient Egypt. Six sun temples are believed to have been built, but only two have been uncovered until now.

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