Satellite Imagery Measures of the Astronomically Aligned Megalithis at Nabta Playa.

The Nabta Playa megalithic complex consists of two types of features: first are the large stones, many of them shaped, placed on or in the sediments of an ancient seasonal lake bed that is now hyper-ariad, second are large sculpted bedrocks features underneath the sediments and associated with the surface megaliths (Wendorf et al. 1992). The astronomically aligned surface megalithic structures described in field reports (Wendorf and Malville, 2001) are identified in recent georectified 60cm panchromatic satellite imagery of Nabta Playa, Southern Egypt. The satellite images allow refinement, often significant of the reported locations of the megaliths (Malville et al 1998, and Wendorf and Malville 2001). The report that a primary megalithic alignment was constructed to point to the bright star Sirius, circa 4820BC, is reconsidered in light of the satellite data, new field, data, radiocarbon, lithostratigraphic and geochronological data, and the playa sedimentation history. Other possible archaeoastronomical interpretations are considered for that alignment, including the three star asterism (of Alnitak, Alniham and Mintaka) circa 6270BC that is also implicated in the small Nebta Playa "calendar circle". Signatures of other possible features apparent in the satellite imagery and a recent field study are also considered. Only a small number of the subsurface bedrock sculptures have been excavated. We recommend the use of ground penetrating imaging methods to illuminate the known but not yet excavated subsurface features. The problem of determining the astronomical intent of the builders of the megalithic structures is approached by considering the complex of features as a whole.