“I think that the undulating curve represents the Milky Way and could be a representation of the Great Rift – the dark band of dust that cuts through the Milky Way’s bright band of diffused ...

In exploring various cultures’ Milky Way mythologies, Graur was struck by ancient Egyptian written sources that referenced the galaxy, such as the Pyramid Texts, Coffin Texts, and the Book of Nut.

An unusual depiction of the ancient Egyptian sky goddess Nut may include a representation of the "Dark River" or "Great Rift"—the band along the Milky Way caused by dust clouds.

This depiction is thought to illustrate the Great Rift, a band of dust and gas that appears to split the Milky Way in two. While this is the clearest known evidence for the ancient Egyptians ...

"I think that the undulating curve represents the Milky Way and could be a representation of the Great Rift — the dark band of dust that cuts through the Milky Way's bright band of diffused ...

This depiction is thought to illustrate the Great Rift, a band of dust and gas that appears to split the Milky Way in two. While this is the clearest known evidence for the ancient Egyptians ...

This feature resembles the Great Rift, a dust lane dividing the Milky Way. Graur interprets this as a representation of our galaxy. In the Valley of the Kings, similar patterns accompany images of Nut ...