Dr. Hisham El-Leithy, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), participated in the official opening of the exhibition “Fate in the Stars: The Origins of the Zodiac” at the Egyptian Museum and Papyrus Collection in Berlin.
The ceremony was attended by Ambassador Yomna Othman, Deputy Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Germany; Dr. Friederike Seyfried, Director of the Egyptian Museum in Berlin; and Dr. Sameh Sorour, the Egyptian Cultural Attaché, alongside a distinguished group of archaeologists, ancient astronomy experts, and prominent diplomatic and cultural figures.
This participation aligns with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities' commitment to strengthening Egypt’s international cultural presence, promoting its unique heritage, and highlighting its pioneering contributions to human knowledge, particularly in the field of astronomy.
In his opening remarks, Dr. El-Leithy expressed his pleasure in participating in this exceptional event, emphasizing that the exhibition serves as a successful model of scientific and archaeological cooperation between Egypt and Germany, particularly regarding the restoration project of the Esna Temple in Upper Egypt.
He noted that displaying images of the recently discovered and restored astronomical ceilings of the Temple of Khnum is a significant scientific and artistic achievement. These discoveries reflect the profound astronomical knowledge and celestial curiosity of the ancient Egyptians.
Furthermore, he added that the exhibition goes beyond displaying artifacts; it offers an integrated cognitive experience revealing the ancient roots of the zodiac and its lasting impact on human culture through rare manuscripts, artifacts, and astronomical displays.
The Secretary-General of the SCA affirmed that both the Esna Zodiac and the Dendera Zodiac stand as timeless testaments to ancient Egyptian genius in astronomy, representing some of the rarest and most significant celestial maps in history.
Exhibition Highlights:
Duration: A temporary exhibition organized by the Egyptian Museum in Berlin, running for six months.
Scope: A journey through 4,000 years of astronomical history, tracing the evolution of the zodiac in Ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Greece.
Key Exhibits: * Recent discoveries from the Temple of Khnum in Esna, including the twelve zodiac signs and the depiction of outer planets (Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars), known as the "Seven Arrows."
Images of the famous Dendera Zodiac (c. 50 BC), one of the oldest and most complex celestial maps of the ancient world.
Ancient time-measuring instruments, including "Merkhet" (L-shaped sundials), featuring a piece inscribed with the name of Pharaoh Thutmose III and others from the Saitic Period (26th Dynasty).
The exhibition is held in collaboration with the Egyptian-German mission responsible for the documentation and restoration project of the Temple of Khnum in Esna, Luxor.
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