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Astrolabe

All articles tagged with #astrolabe

history1 year ago•6 min saved

"Medieval Astrolabe: A Symbol of Scientific Exchange Among Muslims, Jews, and Christians"

Historian Federica Gigante discovered a medieval astrolabe in a museum in Verona, Italy, with Arabic and Hebrew markings, revealing its journey across two continents and the shared intellectual achievements of Muslim, Jewish, and Christian scholars. The astrolabe, a 2D map of the universe, originated in 11th century Spain under Muslim rule, and later passed into Jewish and Latin/Italian hands. This discovery highlights the constructive interactions between different cultures and their shared scientific heritage, dispelling the myth of modern science being born in Europe in isolation.

via NPR|

#astrolabe #cross-cultural-interaction #historical-discovery

history-archaeology1 year ago•2 min saved

"Discovery of 11th-Century Shared 'Smartphone' Unveils Ancient Communication Technology"

A 1,000-year-old astrolabe, resembling a large pocket watch, was discovered in Verona, Italy, shedding light on the scientific exchange between Muslims, Jews, and Christians over nearly a millennium. The relic, believed to have originated in 11th century Andalusia, shows evidence of modifications and adaptations as it changed hands, including translations of Arabic zodiac signs into Hebrew. The astrolabe's inscriptions indicate its use in Spain, North Africa, and eventually within the Jewish diaspora in Italy, highlighting its role as a record of cultural and scientific collaboration.

via The New York Times|

#ancient-technology #astrolabe #cultural-heritage

history-and-culture2 years ago•3 min saved

"Unearthing Cross-Cultural Treasures: Astrolabes and Scientific Exchange in Italian Museums"

An 11th-century astrolabe found in an Italian museum bears inscriptions in Muslim, Hebrew, and Christian languages, indicating cross-cultural exchange. The artifact, used to chart stars and heavenly bodies, is a rare record of scientific collaboration between Arabs, Jews, and Christians. The astrolabe, originating from Muslim-ruled Spain, features Arabic and Hebrew inscriptions, as well as Western numerals, and was likely used in Spain, Morocco, or Egypt. This remarkable find sheds light on religious harmony and the interconnectedness of Islamic, Jewish, and European cultures.

via USA TODAY|

#astrolabe #cross-cultural-exchange #history-and-culture