Holger Isenberg Wrote:
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> Byrd Wrote:
> -------------------------------------------------------
> > But there's no feature that points to Sirius.
>
> You mean geometrically pointing to the star or by
> symbols?

I mean that the main doors, main causeway (and others) don't point to the star. And now that you mention it, the symbolic references to Sirius are completely dwarfed by the number of references to Bes, to Hathor, to Isis, and to many other deities.

> Geometrically, the facade and the backside wall
> are aligned perfectly to the heliacal rising
> location on the horizon. But you are right that
> there is no visor, or door, or any help for the
> casual visitor directly at the temple.

Exactly. Nothing points to Sirius. Aligning a facade/back wall of a temple to something isn't "pointing" to it.

> > There are other temples with similar
> alignments,
>
> Yes, from the 115 analyzed in that paper, there is
> definitely a clustering around the Sirius heliacal
> rising location visible. The most perfect are:
>
> Hathor, Dendera
> Isis, Dendera
> Mut, Karnak
>
As the paper says, the buildings are pointing to the Imperishable Stars.

> Not sure. I think they were busy with other stuff
> there than astronomical observations as it would
> be impractical to try astronomical observations
> from the cella(r) room.

If it was important, they would have had things like ka-statues or other statues turned to face that point AND have had clear access to view the rising of the star.

By the time of the Ptolemies, the length of the year had been long established and they weren't looking for Sirius rising to mark the start of the year (unlike the Jewish festival calendar, which requires a sighting of a new moon and dates can vary.) Sirius was more of a footnote at this point, as can be seen by the way the deity is not given prominence in any fashion.

And during the reign of Thutmose, the date noted for the heliacal rising of Sirius in at least one place was not at the new year. So they adjusted their calendar and weren't following the rising of Sirius for their yearly markers.

-- Byrd
Moderator, Hall of Ma'at