Culture

2,500-year-old astronomical observatory site discovered in Egypt

Published

3 weeks ago

August 31, 2024

The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has announced the discovery of a 2,500-year-old ancient astronomical observatory by a team of a team of scientists and archaeologists, which they say is the “first and largest” of its kind in its history.

The observatory, according to the Ministry, is the remains of the sixth-century-B.C. structure, and was discovered three years ago during excavations at an archaeological site in the ancient city of Buto, now called Tell Al-Faraeen, in Egypt’s Kafr El-Sheikh governorate.

In a statement by the Director-General of Kafr El-Sheikh Antiquities and Head of the Egyptian Archaeological Mission, Hossam Ghonim, the team uncovered the ruins of an L-shaped mud-brick building spanning over 9,150 square feet (850 square meters).

‘Its east-facing entrance, marked by a traditional gateway known as a pylon, leads to a spot where sunlight would have illuminated where the sky observer — known as ‘smn pe’ and who was usually a priest — stood to track the sun and stars. Everything we found shattered our expectations,” Ghonim said.

He added that the structure still has a carving of smn pe facing the rising sun.

“This figure symbolizes the ancient Egyptians’ connection to the cosmos. At first, the team thought they had discovered a temple. Yet, as the excavation progressed, they uncovered artifacts and inscribed symbols, such as Chen, Cenet and Benu, that related to time and astronomy.

‘But it was the discovery of a huge sundial — along with several inscriptions, artifacts and the layout of the building — that led researchers to make the new announcement that this structure was an observatory.

“A surveying and timekeeping tool known as a merkhet, pottery, religious items, and a statue dated to the 26th Dynasty (664–526 B.C.) were also recovered.

“The discovery highlights the advanced astronomical knowledge of the ancient Egyptians, including their ability to determine the solar calendar and significant religious and agricultural dates,” Ghonim explained.

Related Topics:Discovery Egypt Featured Observatory

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Culture

Janet Jackson pulls out of ‘DStv Delicious Festival’ after brother’s death

Published

7 hours ago

September 18, 2024

Isaac Dachen

African-American popstar, Janet Jackson, has announced pulling out of the much-anticipated “DStv Delicious Festival” which will hold on Saturday, September 21, in Johannesburg, South Africa.

According to her management team, Jackson will no longer be performing at the festival following the death of her brother, Tito.

The organizers of the ‘DStv Delicious Festival” have also confirmed that ‘Janet Jackson will no longer be able to perform at the food and music festival this Saturday.”

Janet’s management team shared the following with the festival’s organisers:

“Janet’s brother Tito passed away this past Sunday. For obvious reasons, Janet has to cancel her performance at the DStv Delicious Festival to be with family.

“Management is making plans to come back next year. Janet also wishes to thank all of her South African fans for the warm and heart-felt support she’s receiving at this difficult time.”

The DStv Delicious organisers in the statement said they are sending their “deepest condolences and support to Janet and her family during this time of mourning.”

The organisers also expressed they are working on securing an international replacement for Janet Jackson, and have offered ticket holders the opportunity to exchange their tickets for Sunday, if they wish to.

“We understand that many fans were excited to see Janet Jackson perform, and the Festival’s Management Team is actively working on securing a suitable international replacement headliner to ensure an unforgettable experience.

“We appreciate the understanding and support of our festival community during this time of change, and we look forward to a memorable celebration of music, culture, and unity at DStv Delicious Festival Powered by Lottostar.”

Culture

Zimbabwe to kill 200 elephants for drought-ravaged communities

Published

1 day ago

September 17, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

According to wildlife officials on Tuesday, Zimbabwe intends to slaughter 200 elephants in order to feed populations who are very hungry following the worst drought in 40 years.

Over 68 million people in southern Africa have been affected by the drought brought on by El Nino, which also caused food shortages throughout the region.

“We can confirm that we are planning to cull about 200 elephants across the country. We are working on modalities on how we are going to do it,” Tinashe Farawo, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority (Zimparks) spokesperson, told journalists.

He declared that the drought-affected villages in Zimbabwe will receive the elephant meatballs. Hence, the districts of Hwange, Mbire, Tsholotsho, and Chiredzi will host the nation’s first cull since 1988.

Zimbabwe decision comes after bordering Namibia decided to slaughter 83 elephants last month and give meat to those affected by the drought.

One of the greatest elephant populations in the world is found in the southern African countries of Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Angola, and Namibia, where over 200,000 elephants are thought to reside in a protection area.

According to Farawo, the culling is a component of the nation’s efforts to reduce the number of elephants in its parks, which can only hold 55,000 of them. There are more than 84,000 elephants in Zimbabwe.

“It’s an effort to decongest the parks in the face of drought. The numbers are just a drop in the ocean because we are talking of 200 (elephants) and we are sitting on plus 84,000, which is big,” he said.

Conflicts between people and wildlife can worsen during a drought this bad because supplies become more scarce. 50 people died in Zimbabwe from elephant attacks last year.

The nation has been urging the United Nations’ Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) to restore trade in ivory and live elephants. It is praised for its conservation efforts and increasing elephant population.

Zimbabwe, which has one of the biggest populations of elephants, possesses stqqqockpiles of ivory worth over $600,000 that it is unable to sell.