They Preceded Humanity into Space: Ancient Egyptians Knew Planets and Recorded Eclipses
The ancient Egyptians excelled in observing celestial
bodies such as the sun, moon, stars, and even several planets. This mastery is documented
on numerous temple walls and tombs. According to the prominent tour guide and
historian Bassam El Shammaa, astronomy played a crucial role in the daily,
religious, and economic lives of ancient Egyptians.
The Dictionary of Ancient Egypt states that since
at least the Middle Kingdom, around 4,000 years ago, the ancient Egyptians
identified five planets, depicting them as deities sailing across the sky in
boats. These "wandering stars" included Jupiter, which the Egyptians
called "Her," meaning "Horus who governs the two lands."
This may refer to Upper and Lower Egypt, and Jupiter, the largest planet in the
solar system, was well-known to ancient astronomers. The Romans later called it
"Jupiter," the god of the sky and lightning.
The Egyptians also recognized Mars, calling it "Her
Djesher," or "Horus the Red," which is fascinating considering
that Mars is still known today as the Red Planet in the West. How the Egyptians
discerned the true color of the planet is a remarkable feat.
They identified Mercury, which they named Sebegu,
a deity associated with the god Set, the brother of Isis, Osiris, and Nephthys.
Saturn was also known to the ancient Egyptians, who called it "Horus the
Bull of the Sky." Venus was referred to as the "Morning Star" or
the "Deity of the Dawn," now famously known as Venus.
El Shammaa notes that the ancient Egyptians were also
aware of solar eclipses. In the Neferty Papyrus, housed in Saint
Petersburg, there is a clear reference to a total solar eclipse. The papyrus
describes the event, stating: "The sun is obscured, giving no light that
men can see," likely referring to humans. Another line reads: "Man
cannot live when stormy clouds hover," referring to rain-laden clouds, and
expresses wonder at the disappearance of the sun.
In his book Ancient Egyptian Language, renowned
Egyptologist Dr. Abdel Halim Nour El-Din mentions hieroglyphic symbols
depicting a half-shadowed moon, along with the moon god Iah, the crescent moon
symbol, and "Sba," the star. He also notes symbols for
"Wnwt" (hour), "Hrw" (day), "Abd" (month), and
"Akh" (sunlight), as well as the hieroglyph for darkness,
"Kkw." These symbols further demonstrate the ancient Egyptians'
remarkable expertise in astronomy and their deep understanding of outer space,
the planets, and the solar system.