The Nebra Sky Disk
Explanation:
It is considered the oldest known illustration of the night sky.
But what, exactly, does it depict, and why was it made?
The Nebra sky disk was found with a metal detector in 1999 by treasure hunters near
Nebra,
Germany,
in the midst of several
bronze-age
weapons.
The ancient artifact spans about 30 centimeters and has been associated with the
Unetice culture that inhabited part of
Europe around
1600 BC.
Reconstructed, the dots are thought to represent
stars,
with the cluster representing
the Pleiades, and the large circle and the crescent representing
the
Sun and
Moon.
The purpose of the disk remains unknown -- hypotheses including an
astronomical clock, a work of art, and a religious symbol.
Valued at about
$11 million, some believe that the
Nebra
sky disk is only one of a pair,
with the other disk still out there waiting to be discovered.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
