This mysterious three-lobed “disc” is currently on display at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo; it is made of stone and is at least 5,000 years old.
This mysterious disc is often referred to as the “Egyptian Trilobite Disc” or “Sabu Disc” . It is a mysterious ancient Egyptian artifact found in the tomb of Prince Sabu , a governor of the First Dynasty and son of Pharaoh Anedjib.
The Sabu disc, with its three curved lobes converging at the center, is unlike any other artifact found in Egypt to date. It was discovered at the Sakkara Cemetery , Egypt’s largest group of ancient tombs.
The tomb of Prince Sabu is estimated to date back to around 3,000 BC, during the early period of the ancient Egyptian dynasty. This makes the disc at least 5,000 years old!
This mysterious disc is often referred to as the “Sabu Disc”.
Archaeologists believe that the tools used at that time were made of stone and bronze, so the fact that the Sabu discs were of such high precision and made from a fragile material like slate is improbable. And this is just one of the reasons why the Sabu discs attract the attention of scientists and others.
Many theories have been proposed over the years regarding the function of this object. Initially, the disc was thought to be a vase, an incense burner, or simply a decorative item. However, this has caused much controversy within the archaeological and historical communities.
The fact that this disc is so highly accurate and made from such a fragile material as slate is unbelievable.
Discovered by the renowned archaeologist Walter B. Emery on January 10, 1936, this mysterious disc is circular and has a diameter of approximately 610 mm and a height of approximately 106 mm.
It is crafted from “Schist” stone , a term historically used by archaeologists to refer to metasiltstone . This is a type of metamorphic siltstone that is less prone to cracking during carving than the original stone.
However, it is highly refined, suggesting that the creation of this disc must have come from a skilled craftsman. Throughout Egyptian history, there are numerous examples of vessels and other objects with intricate hieroglyphic carvings made from schist stone, indicating that it was likely a common material in the past.
Metasiltstone is a type of metamorphic siltstone that is less prone to cracking during carving than the original rock. (Illustrative image).
In addition to the theories mentioned above, more popular “orthodox” theories include: It was a mixing tool for mixing grains, with meat and water, perhaps even fruit. Or it could be a component of an ancient water pump.
As Adam Henessy pointed out, it’s difficult to prove or disprove this, although using it as a water pump or mixing tool for an extended period could be challenging due to the brittle nature of the stone.
However, there are certainly some striking similarities between the Sabu disc and the impeller of a modern pump , as shown in the image below.
The Sabu disc bears a resemblance to the impeller of a modern pump.
Accordingly, an amateur historian created a replica of the Sabu disc using a 3D printer to prove his own theory. According to him, the Sabu disc may actually be an ancient “impeller,” a component of a centrifugal pump.
When placed within its casing and propelled at high speed through its central axis, the disc proves highly effective in pumping water. Furthermore, when rotating without the casing to conduct the water, the disc creates a strong vortex.
These experiments may suggest that the disc’s unique folded lobes and slightly concave shape certainly serve a specific purpose.
But whether they are actually related to water is something no one has been able to explain clearly. Some believe that these strange shapes are part of something entirely different – like more advanced technologies.
Descriptions of the Sabu disc only appear in a relief from 1500 BC.
However, the only recorded depiction of the Sabu disc in Egypt appears in a relief from 1500 BC, around the time of the Hyksos invasion in 1640 BC.
Throughout history, this was also the period when humans began using the wheel, making the Sabu disc a potentially revolutionary discovery. However, the brittle slate material used for the disc could not withstand the forces exerted by a wheel. Therefore, it is certainly not a wheel.
There is a theory that Sabu discs may have been used in beer production.
According to a recent study, with more substantiated scientific evidence, archaeologist Akio Kato, who has extensively studied the history and archaeology of ancient Egypt, suggests that the Sabu disc may have been used in beer production . It was essentially a rake used to mix and aerate a mixture of grains and hot water.
Kato points to two observations that support this idea. First, Prince Sabu’s burial chamber contained objects including stone or ceramic vessels, flint or bronze tools, an ivory box, the bones of two cows, and arrowheads – almost all of which were related to “food” for Prince Sabu’s afterlife.
Therefore, it is natural to suggest that the Sabu dish was the tool for brewing beer, which was considered “food” by the ancient Egyptians, as important as bread and also an essential source of sustenance for the afterlife.
The sabu-shaped plate can move gently up and down when placed in water.
Secondly, the gray color of the disc works quite well in distinguishing it from the brown casing. The disc was made in the early Bronze Age, and the metal used in those days was copper or brass. If it were made of copper or brass, it would be brown, making it difficult to check the quality.
The study also explains the effectiveness of the three lobes on the plate, which allow for smooth mixing of grains with hot water without creating any vortices or bubbles, ensuring a uniform grinding process with even temperature distribution.
Another fact that seems to support Kato’s position is that the Sabu disc can move gently up and down when placed in water. Only a small force is needed to create a current, which then propels the disc.
Accordingly, the Sabu disc may have been used in large beer vats, part of the world’s oldest known mass brewery, found at the Royal Burial Ground of Abydos, dating back to around 3,000 BC.
