Unearthing the Sun’s Mysteries: Archaeological Excavations at the Pyramid of Khafre and the Spring Equinox

For millennia, people around the world have celebrated the vernal equinox, which not only marks the start of a new season, but can also symbolize the fertility of the land, agricultural production systems, and cultural heritage.

And archaeologists have discovered many ancient sites corresponding to the equinox. But the purpose of these sites is still shrouded in mystery.

The spring equinox occurs in the northern hemisphere on March 20. part of the Indian subcontinent, heading for the Northern Hemisphere, which includes Europe, Asia, North America and the Arctic.

Archaeologists have discovered that many archaeological sites around the world, dating from various ancient cultures and civilizations, show a mysterious connection to the sun that is clearly manifest at the time of the equinox, including:

Pyramid of Chichen Itza – Mexico

On the day of the spring equinox, tourists and locals gather at the Chichen Itza pyramid in southern Mexico. When the sun sets during the day, it casts a shadow on the north staircase, which is adorned with snake head carvings at the bottom of the stairs, giving the impression that a snake is slithering across the pyramid.

This probably represents the feathered serpent god Kukulcan or Quetzalcoatl descending to earth on that day.

Pyramid of Khafre and Great Sphinx – Egypt

The Great Sphinx and the Pyramid of Giza are perfectly aligned with the Sun at the time of the equinox. Swiss archaeologist Herbert Rike said in the 1960s that the sun appears to sink between the shoulders of the Sphinx.

In fact, the remaining twenty-four columns of the Great Sphinx temple also seem to line up with the equinox.

“The shadow of the Sphinx and the shadow of the Pyramid, both symbols of the king, became two merged forms,” American archaeologist Mark Lehner told an event for Smithsonian Magazine.

Temple of Angkor Wat – Cambodia

On the day of the spring equinox, the sun rises exactly over the central peak of the temple in Cambodia called Angkor Wat.

The building leads to a 700-year-old city of canals, temples, shrines and tombs spread over 154 square miles in the jungles of northern Cambodia.

Teotihuacan – Mexico

Every year at the spring equinox, people gather in the pre-Spanish city of Teotihuacan, Mexico dressed in white and red to celebrate the sunrise.

Like their ancestors, celebrants climb the pyramid at this site with their arms outstretched, looking up at the sun, calling on the gods for energy and health.

According to some reports, the light of the equinox penetrates the palace of Quetzalpapalotl in Teotihuacan, built around 450-500 AD.

According to reports, the light illuminated the celestial figures on the walls of the palace between 7:15 and 7:45 am, indicating the use of the temple as a solar observatory.

Loughcrew Cairns – Ireland

The Cairns of Loughcru in County Meath, Ireland, also known as Witch Hills, is one of four major cemeteries built by humans over 5,000 years ago.

On the spring and autumn equinoxes, the sun rises just below the entrance to the cave, called Cairn T, illuminating the Black Stone, a slab covered in some of the finest Neolithic art in Ireland, according to Irish heritage.

Stone of Antihuatana – Machu Picchu

The sun was the central element of the Inca cult. At the site of Machu Picchu is Antihuatana, a large square rock that archaeologists aligned perfectly with the sun on the equinoxes so that it would not cast shadows.

Many believe that the stone could have been used as a solar calendar, although some archaeologists say there is not enough evidence to support this.

Manjdra rock temple – Malta

Seven megalithic temples have been discovered on the Mediterranean islands of Malta and Gozo, classified as World Heritage Sites. These prehistoric structures were built between 4000 BC. and 3000 BC

On the days of the spring and autumn equinoxes, a bright ray of the sun falls on the entrance to the temple and perfectly illuminates the main axis of the building.

Whether prehistoric people intentionally aligned the temple with the sun is still a matter of debate, but the orientation is “so systematic that it is highly likely” according to Malta’s National Agency for Museums, Conservation Practices and Cultural Heritage.

Source: Business Insider