Astronomers will be able to pin the date of the construction of the Great Pyramid at Giza within five years. The theory assumes that the Egyptians used two bright stars -- one in the Ursa Minor and one in the Ursa Major -- to orient the pyramids. These stars in 2467 BC lay in a precise straight line including the celestial North Pole. Using a plumb line and waiting for the Earth to turn to bring the plumb line to intersect the line joining the stars, the builders could have determined the true north at the site.
The Earth, apart from spinning on its axis also precesses (the axis gyrates and rotates with a period of 26000 years), and thus the celestial North Pole was exactly aligned between the two stars only in 2467 BC. Some of the pyramids are not exactly aligned to the north direction. This may be because they were built later, or earlier, and the error in the alignment of the two stars could tell us the construction date of these other pyramids also (Nature, Vol 408, p320).
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.