The world’s eyes turn to the Abu Simbel temples in southern Egypt to witness the annual phenomenon of the sun’s rays directly illuminating the sanctuary of Ramses II’s temple on February 22nd. This unique event is a testament to the ancient Egyptians’ profound knowledge of astronomy and their ability to apply it to engineering and construction.
The alignment of the sun at Abu Simbel is a relatively recent discovery for archaeologists, but the ancient Egyptians had already incorporated it into the design of Ramses II’s Great Temple thousands of years ago. This celestial event occurs twice a year, on February 22nd and October 22nd, dates that coincide with ancient Egyptian agricultural seasons or significant events in the pharaoh’s life, such as his birthday or coronation.
Beginning at 6:22 AM on February 22, 2024, the phenomenon unfolds as the sun rises over Lake Nasser and its rays penetrate the temple’s entrance, traversing a 60-meter passageway before reaching the sanctuary. There, the sunlight illuminates the face of Ramses II and the other statues, except for one which remains in shadow, representing the god of the underworld.
The sanctuary houses statues of four deities: Ptah, Amun-Ra, and Ra-Horakhty. While the sun’s rays illuminate the statues of Amun-Ra and Ra-Horakhty, they intentionally bypass the statue of Ptah, the god of the underworld. This deliberate exclusion reflects the ancient Egyptian belief that the sun should not shine on the realm of the dead. The ancient Egyptians’ meticulous attention to detail is evident in their ability to engineer this celestial phenomenon and align it with their religious beliefs.