This astronomical tablet was painted on the ceiling of the First Tomb of the Kings (Seti I - 19th Dynasty Pharaoh who ruled in 1200s ) to the West in Thebes in southern Egypt. The site is also referred to as Byban el Molouk. Represented here are stars and constellations. Such illustrations were found in other tombs as well and were meant to offer the deceased help in reaching the afterlife. The figure bending over all is the sky-goddess Nut. This illustration dates to 1903 and appeared in the book History of Egypt by French Egyptologist Gaston Maspero.

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Size: 5311px × 3408px
Photo credit: © Ivy Close Images / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No

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