THE FORGED
HEAVEN AND AN ENIGMATIC OBJECT OF CA 2000 BCE
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| The Nebra sky disk |
Der geschmiedete Himmel, the forged heaven.
That’s the
poetic title of an exhibit that featured a bronze disk about the size of a
dinner plate. The exhibit took place in Mannheim ,
Germany
For starters,
this disk is absolutely unique. No prototypes, earlier models, or later
knockoffs exist. The Nebra sky disk, as it is called, has been the subject of
controversy since it was rescued from looters who dug it up around twelve years
ago by a daring archaeologist participating with police in a tense sting
operation. Instead of netting one million DM for their troubles, the thieves
got jail time. That much of the story would suffice for a good thriller film.
The star might well be the disk itself, its upper surface covered in gold foil
symbols of a sun (or full moon), a crescent moon, scattered stars, and gold
foil strips at precise places on its perimeter.
The real
controversy and the intellectual kick of this object lies in deciphering when
and where it was made, and ultimately why or its purpose. Micron-level analysis
of its green patina surface revealed that it is genuine, the corrosion crystals
too large to have been faked. The metal composition is northern European rather
than Mediterranean, despite its having been found with Mediterranean-styled
long knives.
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| Other items found with the Nebra sky disk |
The overall find has been dated with relative confidence to say
that the disk was made between 2100 BCE and 1700 BCE and deposited shortly
after the latter date with the associated objects. Its perimeter has pierced
holes that were added to it later and indicate a long period of use or change
in its function. But physical scientists and archaeologists still debate its
function.
Is this the
oldest astronomy object in Europe, and older than any Egyptian representation
of the stars (the oldest of those from around 1400 BCE)? If so, the
implications for northern Europe at this time are sweeping. Rather than being brutish warriors ruling by
the sword, crudely clad, and digging their carrots with a short stick, is it
possible those in the northern part of what is now Europe
developed an astronomy that rivaled that of later Babylonian, Greeks,
Phoenicians?
Naysayers claim
the object to have been merely decorative, the riddle of the sun and crescent
moon appearing together on a field of “star” shapes signaling nothing in
particular. Other experts analyze old stone carvings, clay tablets, and papyrus
fragments to find parallels. For those of us who enjoy astronomy, and the
history of scientific instruments, the puzzle is delicious.
The Sky Disk has
even been said to be the famed shield of Achilles as wrought by Hephaistos that
contained the heavens: sun, moon, and Pleiades according to Homer, Book 18, The Iliad. To read more about the Sky
Disk, Google Nebra Sky Disk and find abundant articles and discussions debating
its origin and purpose.
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| The sky disc of Nebra was found near Europe's oldest observatory in Goseck |
The decorated
disk in bronze and gold is truly a beautiful object and the fascination of
science and laypersons is unlikely to abate. No other such object has been
found to date in northern Europe . However, the
wooden observatory-circles of Germany Netherlands Belgium Ireland Wales
J.S. Dunn is the award-wining author of Bending the Boyne, which took first place in the Next generation Indie Book Awards 2011
