Researchers Find First Visual Representation of the Milky Way on a 3,000-year-old Egyptian Coffin Decoration

For centuries, civilizations have tried to resolve the mysteries of space and have had a dozen theories for different phenomena. Egyptians were fascinated with the cosmos, intermingling the cycles of the sun, stars, and planets with ancient gods and whatnot. Intriguingly, a discovery suggests that their cosmic knowledge was way more advanced. In a stellar discovery, experts have unraveled what may be the first ever known visual representation of the Milky Way, according to SciEngine.

The most intriguing part? It was not found in an advanced observatory or an ancient manuscript, but painted all across the wooden coffin of an Egyptian woman named Nesitaudjatakhet over 3,000 years ago. Dr. Or Graur, astrophysicist at the University of Portsmouth, whose study has been published in the Journal of Astronomical History and Heritage, analysed a huge catalog of coffin artwork from the 21st and 22nd Dynasties, which was heavily centered around space vignettes, portraying the sky goddess Nut. Now, the part that stunned him was that on the outer coffin of Nesitaudjatakhet, a singer of the god Amun-Ra, Nut is painted in a way which depicts her protecting the earth and her body embellished with stars, stated LBV.

Graur noted, "This challenges the notion that the association between Nut and the Milky Way was purely symbolic or textual," stated Arkeonews. However, unlike other depictions, this one features a thick, wavy black line that cuts across her figure from feet to hands. According to Graur, this mysterious band probably resembles the Great Rift (the dark lane of dusty clouds that splits the Milky Way as seen from Earth). Moreover, such motifs have also been seen in Native American cosmology, yes, you read that right, which further solidifies this evidence. This proves that Egyptians may have decoded it way before anyone else did.

However, this is not a foolproof discovery, it comes with its ifs and buts. Out of 118 coffin vignettes analysed, only one contained this dynamic feature, indicating that the Milky Way, while known, was not widely used or represented back then. Intriguingly, several depictions of Nut from this period lack even stars. Only about a quarter shows her covered with a star, which lets the mind wander about what was exactly happening back then, stated Arkeonews. Now, coming back to the galaxy itself, it is a wide abyss, 13.6 billion years old, stretching 100,000 light-years wide.

Our solar system is just a teeny tiny part of this humongous Milky Way. Popularly known as the Silver River, Backbone of Night, and many more, the Milky Way has always been a mystery, fascinating experts every day. But now, it seems the ancient Egyptians may have done more than we know. It is still unknown what more can be revealed upon further research and analysis. Maybe coffins will spill the truth that experts were unable to decode.