From Umm al Qab to Biban al Muluk: the orientation of royal tombs in ancient Egypt
Volume 10 (2008): Astronomy and Cosmology in Folk Traditions and Cultural Heritage, pp. 226–233
Pub. online: 20 December 2008
Type: Article
Open Access
Open Access
Received
26 October 2007
26 October 2007
Revised
29 June 2008
29 June 2008
Published
20 December 2008
20 December 2008
Abstract
This paper presents a preliminary approach to the problem of royal tomb orientation in ancient Egypt from the early dynastic mausoleums at the necropolis of Umm al Qab to the impressive subterranean chambers of the tombs at the Valley of the Kings (Biban al Muluk). This clearly shows that the correct orientation of the monuments, from the earlier mastabas to the later hypogea, was mandatory and that the sky plays a key role in understanding ancient Egyptian funerary monuments.