Marine archaeologists say the object is an astrolabe, an instrument once used by mariners to measure the altitude of the Sun during their voyages. It is believed to date from between 1495 and 1500.

The first type, known as a planispheric astrolabe, helped astronomers calculate the positions of celestial objects. All early ...

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 ...

This early Islamic period is sometimes called the ... Islamic astronomers improved the astrolabe which was a device that allowed travellers to find their way, a bit like a compass.

An astrolabe makes accessible in compact form ... but keeping their separate traditions in what might be described as an early example of multi-culturalism. This coexistence, extremely rare ...

And watching someone recreate the feat, such as by building an astrolabe by hand, can be very appealing too. The astrolabe is an ancient astronomical tool of incredible versatility, allowing the ...