The April 1, 2471 b.C. eclipse and the end of 4th Egyptian dynasty

TL;DR

This paper investigates whether the total solar eclipse on April 1, 2471 BC, can serve as an astronomical anchor to precisely date the end of Egypt's 4th dynasty and the reign of Pharaoh Shepseskaf.

Contribution

It systematically explores the correlation between the 2471 BC eclipse and the historical transition marking the end of the 4th Egyptian dynasty.

Findings

Eclipse coincides with the end of the 4th dynasty

Supports the chronological link between astronomical events and historical dates

Proposes a new precise dating method for ancient Egyptian history

Abstract

On April 1, 2471 bC an impressive, unpredictable phenomenon occurred over the Delta of the Nile: a total solar eclipse, with totality band almost centered on the sacred city of Buto, and with the capital Memphis very close (>95%) to totality. This date is compatible with existing chronologies for the reign of Pharaoh Shepseskaf, who adopted a clamorous symbolic break with respect to the tradition of solarized kings started by Khufu. Indeed his tomb was not built in view from Heliopolis and was not a pyramid, but a kind of unique monument resembling the symbolic shrine at Buto. The aim of the present paper is to investigate in a systematic way the possibility that the origin of this historical break, which marks the end of the 4th dynasty, can be identified precisely in the 2471 bC eclipse, therefore furnishing a new astronomical anchor for the chronology of the Old Kingdom.