Tomb 20 — The Path of the Sun

ON ARRIVING AT TUMBA 20: Congratulations, you’ve found me! This is Tomb 20, the place where I was found. Look inside the chamber. Although it may seem like a dark space, researchers believe that on certain days of the year sunlight could enter through the passage. Before I show you how, here’s a challenge. The entrance faces roughly west, the direction in which the sun sets.

When do you think its light might enter? OPTIONS: A. In the morning. B. At midday. C. At sunset. IF THE ANSWER IS A OR B: Not quite. Hint: think about when the sun sets. Try again! IF THE ANSWER IS C; SOLAR RECONSTRUCTION: Exactly, at sunset! Researchers believe that on certain days near the equinoxes, evening sunlight entered through this passage to illuminate the inside of the chamber.

The equinoxes occur at the beginning of spring and autumn. Look at the reconstruction: this is how the light may have travelled inside. AFTER THE RECONSTRUCTION: You’ve discovered the path the light may have taken. Now look at my bowl: I’m still keeping another secret…