Uncovered Aswan Tomb May Be Earliest to Be Aligned to Winter Solstice

Archaeologists in Aswan discovered a chapel in an unfinished 3,800-year-old Egyptian tomb that was precisely aligned with the dawn of the winter solstice. What makes it special is that it is - allegedly - the earliest known tomb in Egypt to be deliberately designed with consideration of this seasonal event.

The tomb was constructed during Egypt's 12th dynasty, which is sometimes referred to as the Middle Kingdom, when the civilisation was experiencing its golden age. The tomb is part of the Qubbet el-Hawa necropolis, where a few governors were buried. Over time, grave robbers stole much of the treasures buried in the tomb, including the mummies of the governors. 

The chapel's entranceway was designed so that sunlight from the winter solstice - which takes place on December 21st, or December 22nd - could illuminate the inside of the building, giving it an ethereal glow.