In the 50th anniversary’s most significant discovery, archaeologists discovered one of the missing sun temples of Pharaoh in the Egyptian desert.

  • Archaeologists found proof for the third ever rare ancient Egyptian sun temple 
  • It’s the first of many elusive temples that researchers have found in the past 50 years.
  • These were made for the pharaohs when they were alive in order to give them god status 
  • It’s believed that six of these were constructed, and two more have been identified. 










Egypt archaeologists discovered proof they were excavating an ancient, rare sun temple. It is now the third such discovery and first excavation in Egypt in fifty years.

This temple was built to honor pharaohs as they were alive. It is a different to pyramids, which guaranteed that rulers would be gods after death.

Although only six temples were believed to have been built, only two of them have been discovered. However, archaeologists have now found evidence of another sun temple in Abu Gorab (northern Egypt’s archaeology location Abusir). 

The remains of the sun temple of Nyuserre were dug under, which is where archaeologists came across proof of a third temple

Excavations under the Nyuserre sun temple were made, and archaeologists discovered evidence for a third temple.

Digging beneath the remains of the sun temple built by Nyuserre Ini, a pharaoh who ruled for 24 to 35 years in the late 25th century BC during what is known as the Fifth Dynasty, revealed an older base.

The mud bricks used in the construction suggested that another structure had been built there. 

The Telegraph was told by Dr Massimiliano Nuzzolo (assistant professor of Egyptology, Academy of Sciences, Warsaw): “We knew there was something beneath the Nyuserre stone temple.

The temple was built by Nyuserre Ini, a pharaoh who ruled for 24 to 35 years in the late 25th century BC

The king built the temple during what is known as the Fifth Dynasty

Excavating beneath the temple of the Sun (pictured), revealed an older foundation

“The large entrance points to a brand new building.” Why is there not another sun temple? 

After removing more debris, archaeologists found a 2-foot base for a white limestone-colored pillar.

The foundations were then discovered with a number of mud-filled beer containers. Researchers believe this proves that the site was once a temple.

An ancient Egyptian emblem of the powerful sun god Ra, who the temples were built to by the pharaohs

A symbol from ancient Egypt depicting the power sun god Ra. The temples in Cairo were dedicated to him by the Egyptian pharaohs.

What do we know about the FIFTH DYNASTY of EGYPT 

From the mid of the 24th Century BC, the Fifth Dynasty Pharaohs ruled for about 150 years.    

It is uncertain if the succession of the Kings during this period was possible as contradicting evidence exists about who ruled at different times. But the Dynasty is famous for several achievements, including sun-temples.

With the exception of two last rulers, every pharaoh from the Fifth Dynasty was thought to have constructed one. 

Pyramid Texts are believed to have been the first known type of an ancient Egyptian religious text. They were also discovered towards the end the dynasty of king Unas.

During this time, the number of high-ranking officials also grew as these positions weren’t restricted to members of the royal family. 

Researchers believe that this site is one of the few sun temples in existence. This evidence was bolstered by newly-discovered architecture. 

Dr Nuzzolo stated that he has many evidences to support the claim that we’re excavating one of the sun temples gone by.

Although they were built only by a few pharaohs, the creator of this newly discovered spot is most likely to have been a ruler of the Fifth Dynasty. 

Temples dedicated to Ra were constructed. The courtyard contained a large pillar, which was aligned to the east-west axis. 

They were similar to pyramids and had one entrance and one exit.  

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