New Insights Uncover Advanced Craftsmanship Behind Nebra Sky Disc
Researchers reveal the intricate warm-forging techniques used to create the 3600-year-old artifact, shedding light on Bronze Age technological sophistication.
- The Nebra Sky Disc, over 3600 years old, is the oldest known depiction of celestial phenomena and a key artifact of Bronze Age Europe.
- Recent metallographic analysis identified a complex warm-forging process involving ten heating and shaping cycles at approximately 700°C to craft the bronze disc.
- The disc's materials, including copper from the Alps and tin from Cornwall, highlight extensive trade networks in prehistoric Europe.
- Its gold inlays, depicting celestial symbols, allowed synchronization of lunar and solar calendars, aiding agricultural planning and governance in its era.
- Discovered in 1999 and secured in 2002, the artifact remains a focus of international research and is part of UNESCO's Memory of the World Register.