The Journal of Astronomical History and Heritage recently published a groundbreaking study that sheds new light on Ancient Egyptian artifacts dating back to the 21st Dynasty (1077–943 BCE). Or Graur, an associate professor of Astrophysics at the University of Portsmouth’s Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation, conducted a thorough analysis of 555 decorative coffin elements, with 118 featuring “cosmological vignettes” from the 21st and 22nd Dynasties. These vignettes prominently feature the Ancient Egyptian sky goddess Nut (nwt), depicted as a massive figure arched above the tableau, symbolizing the sky adorned with stars.
In a previous paper published in 2024, Graur used comparative analysis to reconstruct the Ancient Egyptian sky, mapping astronomical models against depictions of Nut on coffin details and manuscripts. The focus of the recent paper is on a specific representation found in the outer coffin of Nesitaudjatakhet, featuring an “undulating black curve” bisecting Nut’s body. Graur suggests that this curve represents the Great Rift, a dark ribbon of space that divides the Milky Way.
This visual depiction of the Milky Way is further supported by similar undulating curves found in the astronomical ceiling of Seti I’s tomb and representations of Nut in the tombs of Ramesses IV, VI, and IX. Graur identifies these features as the earliest visual representation of the Milky Way in Ancient Egyptian art.
Graur believes that these images provide valuable insights into how different cultures across civilizations and eras conceptualized the Milky Way and integrated it into their religions, mythologies, and cultures. By studying these visual expressions, we can uncover underlying similarities in how diverse cultures visualize the heavens, showcasing the beauty and universality of celestial imagery.
