Parts of a Sun Temple were found near Abusir in Egypt, specifically at Abu Ghurab (Abu Gorab).
The discovered Sun Temple is associated with 'Nyuserre Ini' (Nyuserre Ini / ruled circa 2445–2421 BCE), the 6th pharaoh of the 5th Dynasty of the Egyptian Old Kingdom.
The discovered temple was located in the low-lying areas near the Nile River and is identified as a Valley Temple, which is a component of the Sun Temple.
- Ludwig Borchardt - The original location itself was discovered in 1901 by German Egyptologist Ludwig Borchardt, but excavation was impossible due to high water levels at the time. Recent improvements in excavation conditions have lowered the water level and sediment height, making the discovery possible now.
At the time of discovery, it was buried under 1.2 meters of river sediment.
- Part of the Discovered Sun Temple - The temple excavated this time is over 1,000㎡ in size, and the main features of the discovered structure are as follows:
- Parts of the Discovered Valley Temple - 1. Original floor buried in Nile sediments, limestone column bases, parts of corridor wall decorations, and granite column remnants were found. 2. A quartzite entrance and internal stairs leading to the roof (i.e., a secondary entrance) were found on the northwest side of the temple. 3. A ramp connecting the temple to the Nile River was also discovered, characteristic of 5th Dynasty royal architecture.
- Large Stone Threshold with Hieroglyphs - Several stone artifacts were also found in the temple, the first being a large limestone threshold inscribed with hieroglyphs. This limestone block, about 1 meter long, recorded religious rituals performed at the temple, including Pharaoh Nyuserre's name and acting as a sort of ritual calendar for the sun god Ra.
- Limestone Fragment with Hieroglyphs - Secondly, a smaller limestone fragment inscribed with hieroglyphs, exhibiting excellent stone carving and likely possessing religious significance, evaluated as remnants of decoration found at the temple entrance or on the walls.
- Discovered Limestone Fragment - Thirdly, a limestone fragment with a roughly eroded surface, appearing to be fragments of temple walls or floor decorations, evaluated as artifacts helpful in understanding the temple's original structure, wall decoration, and column bases.
Fourthly, a large door frame and entrance made of reddish quartzite, identified as the secondary entrance on the northwest side of the temple. The use of fine quartzite showcases the luxurious style and form of 5th Dynasty royal architecture.
- Magnification of Hieroglyphs on the Fragment - Fifthly, a magnified view of the inscribed stone fragment, showing Nyuserre's name etched within a cartouche, thus indicating the ruler's royal name and verifying the temple's ownership and sun worship rituals.
A cartouche is an oval frame enclosing the pharaoh's name in Egyptian hieroglyphs.
Various ceramics were also found in the temple, including a red earthenware jar made from Nile clay.
Also discovered were two wooden pieces used for 'Senet,' considered an Egyptian board game.
According to the archaeological team, the temple was originally used as a place for royal sun worship but declined and was lost during the late Old Kingdom through the First Intermediate Period, eventually being converted into housing for local residents.
King Nyuserre was known for vigorous construction activity and devotion to the worship of the sun god Ra. Only two Sun Temples have had their forms definitively confirmed so far.
This excavation of the Valley Temple is assessed as helping us understand King Nyuserre's Sun Temple complex more fully, providing architectural insight into Sun Temples, their origins, meaning, and operational methods. The Italian archaeological team plans to continue their investigation. Source: [URL]
"History geeks are shook by the 4,400-year timescale, comparing it to the Dangun myth and joking about which unexcavated tombs (like the Terracotta Army) will open up next. Plus, obligatory Azir and Salah references."
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