Researchers Suspect Ancient Stone Circle of Nabta Playa Was Used to Mark the Summer Solstice, Signaling the Arrival of Rainy Season.
Nabta Playa stone circle dates back 7,500 years. (Photo: Mike P Shepherd).
Nabta Playa, located in the Egyptian desert, may be the oldest astronomical observatory in the world. The desert lies in southern Egypt, approximately 280 kilometers southwest of Aswan, and was once inhabited by ancient Nubians. The stone circle was constructed around 7,500 years ago, predating Stonehenge by over 2,000 years, according to Live Science.
Today, the main stone pillars of the structure are housed in a museum in Aswan to prevent vandalism. Originally, Nabta Playa comprised dozens of upright stone blocks, each over one meter tall, in a desert situated 100 kilometers west of the Nile River. Besides the stone mound above the central tomb, many stones appear to have been deliberately arranged in a circular formation, corresponding to the positions of certain stars. Six stones within the circle may have served ritualistic purposes or marked significant astronomical events. These stones are surrounded by 29 pillars, forming a type of primitive calendar.
Excavations of the central tomb in 2001 found no human remains, only the complete skeleton of a cow. Along with other evidence, this discovery suggests that Nabta Playa was built by Stone Age people who relied on livestock herding among seasonally appearing lakes. The stones within the circle may signify the sunrise on the summer solstice, indicating that rain would soon fill the lakes. Three central stones represent the Orion Belt, while several others mark bright stars like Arcturus, Sirius, and Alpha Centauri.
