<HTML>Dave, the correct date (Julian) for the vernal equinoc in 4000 BCE is April 22. As I said the sun is in Taurus and Sky Map shows that. The sun at equinox rises due east -- spring and fall -- at 90 degrees. The brightest stars generally disappear about 20 minutes before sunrise but that varies with star magnitude and the local horizon affects the point at which objects rising can be seen.
Home astronomy programs have some limitations, but can do a lot. All calculations become less certain the further back you go in time. The Egyptians did not know the stars in Leo as "Leo" but as decan stars with other names and other qualities, something Hancock ignores totally. You really don't need to see what was rising to refute his idea of Leo and the sphinx.</HTML>
