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Ancient Egyptian coffins dating back nearly 5,000 years may contain the oldest known depictions of the Milky Way galaxy. Dr. Or Graur identified wavy black curves on coffins depicting the sky goddess Nut, remarkably similar to the Milky Way's Great Rift. These curves, appearing on coffins and tombs, suggest ancient Egyptians integrated celestial observations into their religious art, showing a sophisticated understanding of astronomy. This discovery, published in the Journal of Astronomical History and Heritage (2025), connects ancient mythology with modern astrophysics.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.