Lost Temple of the Sun Uncovered in Abu Ghurab

For the first time in 50 years, archaeologists have unearthed what they believe is one of Egypt’s lost sun temples. This is the third temple discovered out of the six that archaeologists believe exist somewhere beneath the sands.

The excavation team - a joint mission by the University of Naples L'Orientale and the Polish Academy of Sciences - found the sun temple buried underneath another temple in Abu Ghurab, between Saqqara and Giza.

In 1898, archaeologists at the same site discovered the first sun temple, which was built by Nyuserra, the sixth king of the fifth dynasty. These temples were dedicated to the cult of the sun god Ra, but Nyuserra consolidated his power through the temple and presented himself as the son of Ra.