The round Dendara zodiac.
The temples of Isis and Hathor at Dendara



Introduction to this dossier

The temple of Hathor at Dendara is one of these architectural wonders which the Expedition of Egypt, led by Napoleon Bonaparte, revealed to the world. The round zodiac decorating the ceiling of an osirian chapel is one of these astronomical achievements which gave rise to intense polemics - related to the chronology of humanity, in this case. Fortunately, our always growing knowledge of the old Egyptian writing and history, combined with the scientific study of its astronomical content, will progressively brush aside every one of the more or less fanciful hypothesis advanced, and lead to accurately date it. From which year ? That is what the reading of this dossier will tell you - on the basis of the detailed study of the astronomical content of the zodiac. The put at your disposal of the software leading to determine the astronomical source of orientation of any monument will furthermore allow you to know which star was possibly used to orientate the temples of Isis and Hathor. Access the content of this dossier ...


Imagery developed within this dossier


About this dossier : This dossier is made up of 43 pages and 36 illustrations. An interactive menu, a search by theme and by keywords are available from the upper menu. Dates of first publication and successive updates : november 2001 / january 2004 / january 2007.
Author of this dossier : Karine Gadré, Doctor in Astronomy of the University of Toulouse, France, Founder and Header of the Culture Diff' company, Member of the association Les Ankhou which aims at producing and sharing scientific and cultural knowledge..

Exclusively at Culture Diff' : Put at your disposal of the software leading to determine the astronomical source of orientation of the temples of Isis and Hathor at Dendara. You will thus be able to check the validity of the hypothesis put forward within this dossier. In order to benefit from this option, please connect to the dedicated interface.
Dossier + : The orientation hypothesis put forward within this dossier has been the topic of an article published within the 15th issue of the Cahiers Caribéens d'Egyptologie, entitled « Introduction aux méthodes de l'archéoastronomie. Seconde Partie : Application à la détermination de la source astronomique d'orientation d'édifices », and available on free download.



Further Culture Diff' resources

Softwares > AstroSoftwares : Software leading to determine the astronomical orientation of any monument
Dossiers > AstroEgypto : The sky of ancient Egypt: stellar clocks, water clocks and astronomical ceilings
Dossiers > AstroEgypto : Identification of the ancient Egyptian decanal stars
Dossiers > HistoSciences : Astronomie antique et moderne : d'observations en modélisations toujours plus poussées
Publications > Wiki AstroEgypto : Introduction aux méthodes de l'archéoastronomie. Seconde Partie : Application à la détermination de la source astronomique d'orientation d'édifices



Bibliography

Amer I.H. et Morardet B., "Les dates de la construction du temple majeur d'Hathor à Dendara à l'époque gréco-romaine", ASAE 69, 1983, pages 255-258.
Aubourg Eric, "La date de conception du temple d'Hathor à Dendéra", BIFAO, 1995.
Clagett Marshall, "Ancient Egyptian Science : Calendars, Clocks and Astronomy", American Philosophical Society, 1995.
Cauville Sylvie, "Le temple de Dendérah", IFAO, 1995.
Cauville Sylvie, "Le temple d'Isis à Dendéra", BIFAO, 1995.
Cauville Sylvie, "Le zodiaque d'Osiris", Peeters, 1997.
Gadré Karine, "Logiciel de détermination de la source astronomique d'orientation d'un édifice", Culture Diff', 2003.
Neugebauer Otto, Parker Richard A., "Egyptian Astronomical Texts : Decans, Planets, Constellations and Zodiacs", Brown University, 1969.
Quaegebeur J., "Cléopâtre VII et le temple de Dendara", GM 120, 1991, pages 53-55
Winter H., "A Reconsideration of the newly Discovered Building Inscription on the Temple of Denderah", GM 108, 1989, pages 75-85.