A Medieval Astrolabe: A Unique Artifact of Cultural Exchange
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Chapter 1: Discovery of a Rare Astrolabe
In the city of Verona, researchers have unearthed an astonishing artifact often referred to as a "medieval smartphone." This remarkable discovery is an astrolabe, a rare astronomical device from the 11th century, inscribed in both Arabic and Hebrew.
[Photo: Whipple Museum of the History of Science, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons]
Scholars from the University of Cambridge believe this astrolabe might be among the oldest of its kind ever found. Previously housed in a Verona museum, it had not been subjected to thorough examination until recently. Upon closer inspection by British scientists, it was revealed that the astrolabe holds critical information that illuminates medieval scientific and cultural exchanges.
Section 1.1: Understanding the Astrolabe
An astrolabe is a straightforward, transparent device used for astronomical measurements, remaining in use until the early 18th century. It can be likened to a medieval "smartphone" or portable computer, enabling users to calculate time, distance, and star positions. Preceding the sextant, this specific instrument from Verona originated in an Islamic region. Dr. Federica Gigante, the primary author of a recent paper in the scientific journal "Nuncius," noted the presence of both Arabic and Hebrew inscriptions on the artifact's surface.
“When I visited the museum and examined the astrolabe closely, I noticed that it was not only covered with beautifully engraved Arabic inscriptions. I also noticed faint inscriptions in Hebrew. I could only see them thanks to the light coming in from the window. I thought I was dreaming. It was very exciting,” recalls Dr. Gigante.
Subsection 1.1.1: A Bridge Between Cultures
Dr. Gigante emphasizes that the astrolabe is not only a rare item but also an invaluable testament to the scientific collaboration among Arabs, Jews, and Christians over centuries. “The Verona astrolabe underwent many modifications, additions, and adaptations as its owners changed. At least three different users felt the need to add translations and corrections to this object, two using Hebrew and one in a Western European language,” she elaborates.
Section 1.2: The Origins of the Astrolabe
Determining the astrolabe's origins was another focus for Dr. Gigante. She concluded that it was produced in Andalusia, Spain, during the 11th century when it was under Moorish influence. The Arabic engravings point to the latitudes of Cordoba and Toledo, suggesting that the instrument was likely crafted in the latter city. “It was a thriving center of coexistence and cultural exchange between Muslims, Jews, and Christians at the time,” Dr. Gigante asserts. The astrolabe also includes verses from Muslim prayers, guiding its original users on when to recite them.
Chapter 2: The Journey of the Astrolabe
The astrolabe also bears two Hebrew names: Isaac and Jonah, possibly indicating later owners. “The Jewish names were written in the Arabic alphabet, suggesting that the object circulated among Sephardic Jewish communities in Spain at some point,” notes Dr. Gigante.
Dr. Gigante also identified an erroneous inscription on the astrolabe that incorrectly marked the latitude of Morocco or Egypt. This indicates that the instrument likely traveled from Spain or North Africa to these regions. Approximately a century later, Hebrew inscriptions appeared on the artifact, likely added by multiple individuals.
“These Hebrew additions and translations suggest that at some point, the astrolabe left Spain or North Africa and circulated among the Jewish diaspora communities, most likely in Italy, where the artifact was ultimately discovered. In Italy, Arabic was not commonly understood, so Hebrew became the language of choice,” explains Dr. Gigante.
She also observed that one of the inscriptions contained a geographical error, implying that the individual responsible was neither an astronomer nor the astrolabe’s creator. “In 12th-century Verona, there existed one of the longest-standing and most significant Jewish communities in Italy. Ibn Ezra’s writings suggest a familiarity with astrolabes among the Jewish population in this city, indicating that this tool could have been well-known,” summarizes Dr. Gigante.
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