On the Field Testing of Methods the Egyptians May Have Used to Find Cardinal Directions

Field testing of four proposed methods for determining cardinal directions reveals that the Egyptians could have achieved the remarkable precision seen in the alignment of Fourth Dynasty monuments, such as the Great Pyramid of Khufu. The study found that the pole star method likely explains the alignment of descending passageways at Dahshur, while other methods—circumpolar star, simultaneous transit, and Indian circle—also meet the required accuracy standards. However, evidence does not conclusively confirm or refute the use of the simultaneous transit method for pyramid casings.

Dash, G. (2015). On the Field Testing of Methods the Egyptians May Have Used to Find Cardinal Directions. Journal for the History of Astronomy, 46(3), 351–364. https://doi.org/10.1177/0021828615593272