MOSCOW, 23 Mar. In the ancient Egyptian temple of the god Khnum in Esna, frescoes depicting the signs of the zodiac and several planets were found, writes Heritage Daily with reference to the University of Tübingen. They were discovered during the restoration.
«Images of the zodiac are extremely rare in Egyptian temples. The zodiac belongs to the Babylonian astronomy, in Egypt it appears only in the time of the Ptolemies,» explains archaeologist Christian Leitz.
Presumably, the system of signs of the zodiac appeared in Egypt after it was introduced by the Greeks.
In addition to the frescoes in Esna, only two completely preserved versions were found — and both in the sanctuary in Dandara.
Also, scientists in the temple of Khnum came across frescoes of several planets (Mars, Jupiter, Saturn), stars and constellations, by which time was measured.
The construction of the temple in Esna started during the reign of Pharaoh Thutmose III (1479-1425 BC) and was completed in the Ptolemaic and Roman periods (40-250 AD). In ancient Egypt, they believed that Khnum created man on the potter's wheel. He was also considered the guardian of the floods of the Nile.
An unusual find by archaeologists in the Egyptian Luxor was previously reported.