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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.
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