Accurate Sunrise.. The Scientific Secret Behind the Stunning Abu Simbel Phenomenon

The Abu Simbel temple in Aswan witnessed the renewal of the phenomenon of sunlight aligning with the face of King Ramses II on Sunday morning, in an exceptional scene that lasted nearly 20 minutes and attracted thousands of visitors from various nationalities.

Two Fixed Dates Through the Centuries

The phenomenon occurs twice a year, on February 22 and October 22, and it is believed that their connection in ancient Egypt was related to the harvest and planting seasons, indicating a close relationship between sacred architecture and the agricultural life cycle along the Nile.

The Genius of Design Within the Rock

The temple, carved nearly 60 meters deep into the heart of the mountain, was designed so that the angle of the internal passage allows sunlight to enter on only two specific days. This precision reflects an astonishing understanding of the movement of the sun and its apparent path throughout the year.
Any slight error in calculations would have prevented the light from reaching the “Holy of Holies,” revealing an advanced level of astronomical and engineering knowledge among the ancient Egyptians.

A Message of Light and Symbol

The rays penetrate the Holy of Holies to illuminate the statue of Ramses and the statues of the gods, led by Amun Ra, while the statue of Ptah remains in the shadow, in harmony with its symbolism related to the underworld.

In this scene, repeated for thousands of years, the ability of ancient Egyptian civilization to employ science and symbolism in an architectural work that continues to amaze the world today is embodied.