Sabu Disc: 5,000-year-old Egyptian artifact resembling turbine blade. Discovered in 1936 by British archaeologist Walter Emery in Saqqara Necropolis Found in First Dynasty tomb of high-ranking official named Sabu Carved from single piece of schist (fragile, flaky stone)

The Sabu Disk - a mysterious 5,000-year-old Egyptian artifact with 3 curved lobes, found at Saqqara. Puzzled archaeologists for nearly a century! A 2021 study suggested it was an ancient beer brewing tool 🏺

Key facts claimed:

- Discovered in 1936 by British archaeologist Walter Emery in Saqqara Necropolis

- Found in First Dynasty tomb of high-ranking official named Sabu

- Carved from single piece of siltstone (or metaschist) stone

- Three folded, curving lobes arranged symmetrically around central hub

- Dimensions: 24 inches across, 4 inches high, central hole about 3 inches wide

Key Facts

  • Discovered in 1936 by British archaeologist Walter Emery in Saqqara Necropolis
  • Found in First Dynasty tomb of high-ranking official named Sabu
  • Carved from single piece of schist (fragile, flaky stone)
  • Three folded, curving lobes arranged symmetrically around central hub
  • Dimensions: 24 inches across, 4 inches high, central hole about 3 inches wide
  • Unique in Egyptian archaeology with no similar objects found
  • Modern engineers compared design to jet engine and water pump components
  • 2021 study proposed it was a mash rake for ancient beer brewing
  • Airbus engineers tested replica and found it aerodynamically unfit for propulsion
  • Mainstream archaeologists describe it as ornamental bowl or lamp

Related site: Serapeum of Saqqara — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.