In a fascinating turn of events for archaeology and astronomy enthusiasts, a 500-year-old compass that might have belonged to the legendary Renaissance astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus has been unearthed. This discovery was made by the Warminska Grupa Eksploracyjna, an amateur archaeological exploration group in Poland.
The compass, crafted from a copper alloy, was found buried beneath the gardens of the Archcathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Andrew, commonly known as Frombork Cathedral, located in northern Poland.
The Warminska Grupa Eksploracyjna shared their remarkable find on social media, describing the process that led to the discovery. They utilized ground-penetrating radar to explore beneath the cathedral’s grounds, a technique that has proven invaluable in archaeological digs for its ability to reveal hidden structures without disturbing the earth.
Their exploration led them to an underground chamber with three separate tunnels, which they enthusiastically described as a significant breakthrough.
This astounding find takes us back to the era when Copernicus made his revolutionary discoveries, stated Misja Skarb, a member of the Warminska Grupa Eksploracyjna, and opens up new possibilities for understanding his methods of work. Although there is no concrete evidence yet to confirm that the compass was personally used by Copernicus, the circumstances surrounding the discovery suggest a strong connection.
Copernicus lived and worked near Frombork Cathedral, which was an essential site during his life. In the 15th century, while studying astronomy at the University of Bologna in Italy, Copernicus observed his first lunar eclipse.
Around this time, his maternal uncle and protector, Lucas Watzenrode, who was the Bishop of Varmia, appointed him as a canon of the cathedral in Frombork. This position provided Copernicus with a generous income, which allowed him to fund his private studies.
Copernicus’s most significant contribution to astronomy, the heliocentric model, was detailed in his 1543 work De revolutionibus orbium coelestium. This groundbreaking book challenged the prevailing geocentric views endorsed by the Catholic Church, proposing instead that the Earth revolves around the Sun.
The compass found at Frombork bears a remarkable resemblance to the one depicted in Jan Matejko’s 1873 painting, Astronomer Copernicus, or Conversations with God. In this painting, Copernicus is shown standing on a balcony of the Frombork Cathedral, gazing at the sky with a compass in his left hand. This visual connection further strengthens the link between the discovered instrument and the renowned astronomer.
Moreover, the compass was found close to the location where Copernicus’s remains were uncovered. For many years, it was believed that Copernicus was buried within the cathedral, but it wasn’t until 2005 that archaeologists located a partial skull matching his description.
The Warminska Grupa Eksploracyjna suggests that the compass might have belonged to Copernicus, supported by a Polish legend that describes how the astronomer used secret tunnels to move between the cathedral and the nearby castle where he worked. The compass may have been misplaced during one of his daily travels.
This discovery marks the third such instrument found in Poland and the second from the cathedral grounds. The compass has been sent to the Conservator of Monuments of Poland for testing and preservation. Once conserved, it is expected to be displayed at the Nicolaus Copernicus Museum, located nearby, offering visitors a tangible link to the history of science and the life of a man who fundamentally changed our understanding of the cosmos.
- Share this article:
Discover more from LBV Magazine English Edition
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
A Mysterious Animal in South African Rock Art May Represent a Pre-Dinosaur Extinct Species
In the rugged landscapes of South Africa, ancient rock art panels created by the San people—one of the region’s earliest inhabitants—have long intrigued researchers. Among these works is a particularly…
The Incursion of the Dutch Fleet That Sailed Up the Thames, Destroyed the Royal Navy, and Unleashed Panic in London
In a recent article titled How the Dutch Ate Their Prime Minister in 1672, we recounted a military event carried out by the navy of the Netherlands that occurred in…
Sealand, the Dark Mesopotamian Kingdom Determined to Remain Independent
Hammurabi, the sixth king of the First Dynasty of Babylon, is not only remembered for his famous legal code but also for being the creator of the Babylonian Empire. This…
The Strict Education of Stenographers in Antiquity, a Profession Reserved for Slaves
A recently published study by Ella Kirsh from Brown University analyzes shorthand manuals from antiquity preserved in papyri and wax tablets, revealing the complexity and diversity of stenographers’ training, who…
Pallantium, the Legendary Greek City the Romans Believed Existed Where Rome Was Later Founded
One of the most fascinating and perhaps lesser-known stories of Rome’s history is that of Pallantium (in ancient Greek Παλλάντιον), a legendary city that, according to various ancient sources, stood…
The Sacking of the Irish Town of Baltimore by Barbary Corsairs in 1631
Although the general idea is that the Ottomans and Barbary corsairs limited their naval raids to the Mediterranean, this is a mistake, as ships and even entire fleets dared to…
The Curious Phenomenon of Tree Shyness
We know that shyness affects both humans and animals, but what about plants? It turns out that yes, certain species of trees develop what is botanically referred to as shyness,…
The Greatest Climate Catastrophe in Human History May Have Originated the Myth of Ragnarok and Led to the Invention of Rye Bread
In Norse mythology, the end of the world, Ragnarok, begins with a three-year winter with no intervening summers: the Fimbulvetr. Now, a new research study from the National Museum of…
An Ancient Viking Shelter for Travelers Uncovered in Norway
In the heart of the rugged landscape of Hardangervidda, a vast mountainous plateau in Norway, a group of archaeologists, on foot and carrying tools, have retraced the steps of ancient…
Discoveries in the Cova dels Tritons push back the presence of the first Homo sapiens in the Prehistoric Pyrenees by 5,000 years
The history of human settlement in the valleys of the Pyrenees and Pre-Pyrenees has always been closely tied to climate changes over time. The changing nature of the climate in…
Five Stone Weights and a Spindle for Weaving, Found Among the Remains of an Iron Age Workshop
As part of the preventive excavations being carried out at the Coatmen site, southwest of the city of Tréméven (Côtes-d’Armor, France), archaeologists have made a remarkable discovery: five large stone…
Gran Carro di Bolsena, the Submerged Bronze Age Site Whose Structures Were Burned, Collapsed, and Rebuilt Repeatedly
In the heart of Lake Bolsena, in the Italian province of Viterbo, lies an archaeological treasure that has remained hidden beneath the waters for centuries. This is the prehistoric settlement…
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.