A recent Egyptian archaeological study has revealed that the renowned Karnak Temple had other uses. The temple, located east of the historic city of Luxor in Upper Egypt, was used in ancient times as an astronomical observatory. The study, prepared by Egyptian researcher Ayman Abu Zeid and discussed during the Third International Conference of the Faculty of Archaeology at Luxor University, presents a new perspective. It re-evaluates Karnak Temple not just as a major religious or architectural site, but as a precise astronomical system used by ancient Egyptians to track the sun's movement and to organize time, rituals, and ceremonies related to cosmic cycles. The research confirms that Karnak Temple was one of the most important astronomical observatories in the ancient world. The study's author, Ayman Abu Zeid, who heads the Egyptian Society for Tourism and Archaeological Development, stated that this research and other previous studies in the field of ancient Egyptian astronomy aim to enhance Egypt's efforts in studying ancient astronomical sciences. Their connection to ancient Egyptian temples and sanctuaries opens new avenues for understanding the relationship between architecture and astronomy in antiquity. He also pointed out that ancient Egyptian architecture still holds many astronomical secrets, not only in Karnak, but in numerous temples and archaeological sites across Egypt's historical provinces.
