Egyptian archaeologists discovered the remains of a 6th century BC structure about three years ago while excavating at Tell al-Farain (known in ancient times as Buto) in Egypt’s Kafr el-Sheikh governorate. According to Hossam Ghonim, the head and director of the Egyptian archaeological mission, the discovery shattered all their expectations, especially considering the age and size of the ancient observatory.
That is, the ruins of this ancient observatory consist of an L-shaped mud-brick building measuring over 9,150 square feet (850 square meters), with an east-facing entrance marked by a pylon (a gateway to the sun). Sunlight was directed to a skywatcher, usually a priest, to track the movement of the sun and stars. The team in charge of the excavation initially thought they had discovered another temple dedicated to one of Egypt’s many gods.
