During the restoration process, Egyptian archaeologists have for the first time discovered complete reliefs of the 12 zodiac signs on the ceiling of the Esna Temple in Luxor Province.
According to a reporter in Cairo, visitors to the Esna Temple will have the opportunity to admire the 12 zodiac signs on the ceiling of the Hypostyle Hall after many years of these signs being obscured by thick layers of dust.
The Esna Temple in Luxor Province. (Photo: AFP)
After five years of restoration work, Egyptian and German archaeologists have uncovered vibrant and colorful astronomical images of ancient Egyptians. The reliefs on the ceiling of the Esna Temple feature all 12 zodiac signs, along with planets such as Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars, as well as constellations used by ancient Egyptians to measure time.
Dr. Mostafa Waziri, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities in Egypt, stated that these colorful reliefs also depict gods, animals, the names of divine figures, and imaginary creatures including a ram-headed serpent and a crocodile-headed bird.
Dr. Hisham El-Leithy, head of the Egyptian team involved in the restoration project, added that this is also the first time scientists have found the complete inscriptions and reliefs of the 12 zodiac signs used by ancient Egyptians in the Esna Temple.
He emphasized that these findings were not recorded in previous publications about the exploration of the Esna Temple in 1963 and 1975 by the late French Egyptologist Serge Sauneron.
Meanwhile, the head of the German team, expert Christian Leitz from the University of Tübingen, noted that the zodiac is part of Babylonian astronomy, likely introduced to Egypt during the Greek rule three centuries BC.
The zodiac became very popular as it was used to decorate tombs and coffins and was a significant element in astrological texts and horoscopes inscribed in Demotic script on ostraca (pieces of pottery with inscriptions). However, images of the zodiac are extremely rare in ancient Egyptian temples.
