In northeastern Italy, researchers have uncovered a stone artifact marked with traces of chiseling that may represent a star map. This ancient tool likely helped determine the timing of agricultural activities, according to scientists from the Ca’ Foscari University of Venice (UNIVE) and the Italian National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF).
The 50 cm diameter stone disk was discovered at the ancient settlement of Castelliere di Rupipicolo in the province of Trieste. Archaeologist Federico Bernardini and astronomer Paolo Molaro explained that the disk intrigued the team with its 29 mysterious chisel marks. Twenty-four of these marks are located on one side of the stone, while five are on the opposite side. Near this potential star map, researchers found another unworked stone of the same diameter, which may represent the Sun.
What the Team Discovered
Using software to analyze the stone carvings, the scientists found that the markings likely correspond to groups of stars in the constellations of Orion, Scorpius, and Cassiopeia, as well as in the Pleiades cluster.
According to the research results published in the journal Astronomical Notes, one of the 29 markings still needs to be identified.
The researchers suspect that the unknown chisel mark is likely a star in the Orion cluster. It may have exploded as a supernova or could be the remnant of a failed supernova that left behind a black hole.
“The unknown mark challenges the entire picture. We believe it could be the remnant of a failed supernova,” the researchers wrote. They suggest that searching for a black hole in this part of the sky could confirm this theory, as reported by the Independent.
The team also proposed that the disk-map may have been used by people living in the settlement around 3,000 years ago as a calendar for agricultural work.
Fragments of pottery found nearby indicate that the hill with the fort was in use from the 1800s to 1650s B.C. until 400 B.C. This suggests that the stone disks belong to this extended period. However, little is known about the ancient inhabitants of Castelliere di Rupipicolo, where the stone artifacts were discovered.
Until now, the creation of the oldest known star map was attributed to the Greek astronomer Hipparchus, dating back to around 135 B.C.
The Nebra sky disk, an exquisite bronze artifact with gold appliqués marking the Sun, Moon, and Pleiades, is dated to 1600 B.C., making it even older. However, researchers believe the images on it are quite primitive.
If it is proven that the recently discovered stone disk is indeed a map of the sky, it could be recognized as one of the oldest known artifacts of its kind.