Ancient scientific tool shared by Muslims and Jews uncovered after 1,000 years

The discovery of an 11th-century Islamic astrolabe in Verona, Italy, has captivated historians and scientists alike.

With inscriptions in both Arabic and Hebrew, it’s not just a rare artifact but a testament to centuries of scientific collaboration among Muslims, Jews, and Christians. It’s one of the oldest known examples of such an instrument and among a mere handful in existence.

Astrolabes were the medieval equivalent of smartphones—versatile tools capable of calculating time, mapping stars, and even casting horoscopes. This particular astrolabe, dubbed the “Verona astrolabe,” reflects the vibrant intellectual exchanges of its time.

The astrolabe, found in the Fondazione Museo Miniscalchi-Erizzo, was studied by Dr. Federica Gigante from Cambridge University. She first spotted its image online and was immediately intrigued. "The museum hadn’t conducted an in-depth study of the object," Dr. Gigante explained. "It’s now the single most important item in their collection."

Upon examining the instrument in person, Dr. Gigante noted its finely engraved Arabic inscriptions and faint Hebrew script, barely visible except in certain lighting. "At first, I thought I was imagining it," she said. "But as I looked closer, I saw more and more. It was exhilarating."

Dr. Gigante, an expert in Islamic scientific instruments, identified the astrolabe’s origin as Andalusian Spain. Specific design elements and inscriptions tied it to the Muslim-ruled Al-Andalus region in the 11th century. One side of its plate is marked for the latitude of Cordoba, while the other references Toledo, both major cultural hubs during that period.

The inscriptions suggest the instrument was likely crafted in Toledo, then a melting pot of Muslim, Jewish, and Christian scholars. Its design includes Muslim prayer lines to help users maintain their daily prayer schedule.

An additional inscription, translated from Arabic, credits its creation to an individual named Isḥāq, with the craftsmanship attributed to Yūnus. These names, Isaac and Jonah in English, hint at Jewish ties, possibly linking the astrolabe to a Sephardi Jewish community where Arabic was widely spoken.

Another plate, added later, features markings for North African latitudes. This implies the astrolabe was used in regions like Morocco or Egypt, broadening its geographical significance.

What sets this astrolabe apart are the Hebrew inscriptions, which were added in stages. Some are deeply etched, while others appear hastily scratched. These modifications suggest its journey extended beyond Spain and North Africa, eventually reaching Jewish communities in Italy.

Dr. Gigante explained, "These Hebrew inscriptions indicate the object was used within Italy’s Jewish diaspora, where Arabic was less understood, and Hebrew was preferred." One of these additions references latitude "34 and a half," an unusual phrasing that points to an engraver unfamiliar with astronomy.

The astrolabe’s Hebrew modifications align with the teachings of Abraham Ibn Ezra, a 12th-century Jewish polymath. Ibn Ezra’s treatise on astrolabes, written in Verona in 1146, emphasized verifying instruments’ accuracy. His work suggests astrolabes were already well-known in Verona’s Jewish community, further supporting the artifact’s historical path.

Interestingly, the astrolabe features later corrections not just in Hebrew but in Western numerals. These additions, likely made in Verona for Latin or Italian speakers, attempt to adjust latitude values.

However, many of these corrections were inaccurate. For example, a scratched correction near Medinaceli’s latitude reads “42” and “40,” differing from the original Arabic value, which was closer to the actual modern value.

"This reveals how knowledge transfer wasn’t always seamless," Dr. Gigante noted. "The original Arabic inscriptions were often more precise than the later modifications."

One of the astrolabe’s standout features is its rete—a perforated disk mapping the stars. It’s among the earliest known examples made in Spain and shares similarities with a Byzantine astrolabe from 1062.

The rete’s star positions align with the late 11th century, confirming its medieval origins. "This precision highlights the advanced astronomical knowledge of its creators," Dr. Gigante remarked.

By the 17th century, the astrolabe had entered the collection of Ludovico Moscardo, a nobleman from Verona. It eventually passed to the Miniscalchi family, who founded a museum in 1990 to preserve such treasures.

"This object embodies Islamic, Jewish, and European histories," Dr. Gigante concluded. "Its story can’t be confined to one culture or region."

The Verona astrolabe stands as a symbol of cross-cultural scientific exchange, demonstrating how knowledge transcends borders and beliefs.

Astrolabes are ancient scientific instruments used for solving problems related to time and the position of the stars. They were widely used in astronomy, navigation, and astrology from classical antiquity through the Renaissance.

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