Copy of the Sky Disk from the space journey back in Halle
German astronaut Matthias Maurer returned the copy of the Sky Disk to the State Museum of Prehistory in Halle on Saturday. The scaled-down copy of the exceptional find accompanied Maurer on his mission on the International Space Station (ISS) from November 2021 to May 2022. "The people who had the Sky Disc created 3600 years ago probably had the same philosophical questions that we ask ourselves today when we look at the night sky: How did the universe come into being? How does it work? Is there another Earth out there with intelligent beings?" said Maurer.
The replica made of hand-colored epoxy resin will be on display at the State Museum in Halle, the home of the original Nebra Sky Disk, until 5 May 2024. It has a diameter of 20 centimetres and, with its golden overlays depicting the crescent and full moon, stars, horizon arcs and sun barque, conveys a true-to-original impression of the early Bronze Age find.
Minister President Reiner Haseloff (CDU) said: "We are proud of the rich cultural and scientific heritage of our country. And of course we are delighted when this heritage is made known far beyond our borders. The Sky Disc is a first-class ambassador for our country and, thanks to Matthias Maurer, it was not only on Earth, but now even in space."
Maurer was the 600th person and at the same time the twelfth German in space and the fourth on the ISS. He had chosen the motto "Cosmic Kiss" for his mission. "Cosmic Kiss is a declaration of love for space, its exploration and the space station as a link between humanity and the cosmos," explained the astronaut.
His mission logo also shows the connection with the Sky Disk. "The depiction in the logo is a sign of appreciation for this special object and an expression of the connection between the past, present and future," said the deputy state archaeologist of Saxony-Anhalt, Alfred Reichenberger.
With an age of more than 3600 years, the Nebra Sky Disk is considered to be the world's oldest depiction of concrete celestial phenomena. The original is part of the collection of the State Museum in Halle. In 2013, it was added to the Unesco Memory of the World Register due to its significance for the history of mankind.
The colorful replica of the Nebra Sky Disk, crafted from hand-colored epoxy resin, will captivate visitors at the State Museum's exhibition. Archaeologists and enthusiasts of ancient civilizations will find the colorful depiction of celestial bodies, such as the crescent and full moon, stars, and horizon arcs, fascinating, as it provides a glimpse into the early Bronze Age.
Source: www.dpa.com
