A joint Egyptian-German archaeological mission has discovered a previously unknown annex to the Temple of Khonsu near Edfu, dating back to the late Ptolemaic period. The most significant find is a vaulted chamber containing floor-to-ceiling murals and lapis-inlaid star charts that detail specific lunar eclipses and planetary alignments used for ritual scheduling.
Unlike the main temple complexes, this annex appears to have served as an astronomical observatory for priest-scholars. The walls are inscribed with mathematical formulas for calculating the Nile's flood cycles based on the heliacal rising of Sirius, providing new insights into the scientific role of sacred architecture in ancient Egyptian society.