The Verona Astrolabe: More Than an Astronomical Treasure, a Testament to Modern-Like Concepts in Ancient Times
According to a recent study led by historian Federica Gigante from the University of Cambridge (UK) and the Italian Museum in Verona, an astronomical instrument with origins in Spain serves as compelling evidence for international cross-border and cross-cultural collaboration in science dating back 1,000 years.
Dating back to the 11th century, a circular bronze instrument, likely a traveling astrolabe, has traversed various lands and changed hands multiple times, as reported by Science Alert.
The astrolabe is a tool used to chart the sky, utilized by humanity for centuries. It comprises a celestial map and a system of rotating parts, enabling users to calculate positions in space and specific times.
The oldest known astrolabe was discovered in Greece, but it was the Islamic scholars who improved and optimized this tool.
It is evidence of scientific exchange among Arab, Jewish, and Christian communities.
The content on this ancient astrolabe indicates that at least three distinct users felt the need to add translations and edits to the device to better align with new knowledge. Two of them used Hebrew, and one used a Western language.
Meanwhile, its original crafting style aligns with other astrolabes known to originate from Al-Andalus, a Muslim-ruled region in Spain in the 11th century. The initial inscriptions on it are also in Arabic.
The original star coordinates on this astrolabe also match the star coordinates of other contemporary astronomical instruments.
The engravings on the artifact speak to a rich cultural history. Some Arabic inscriptions are prayers, while others mention the owner as Isãnq and the craftsman as Yũnus.
Later, additional Hebrew inscriptions were added, providing translations for constellations and astrological knowledge. Subsequently, another individual adjusted the latitude on both sides of the measurement tool using Arabic numerals from the West, the Latin numbers we use today.
