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 will be on display at the State Museum in Halle, the home of the original Nebra Sky Disk, until May 5, 2024. It has a diameter of 20 centimeters.
Maurer was the 600th person and at the same time the twelfth German in space and the fourth on the ISS. At more than 3,600 years old, the Nebra Sky Disk is considered to be the world's oldest depiction of concrete celestial phenomena.
During the exhibition of the Sky Disk replica at the State Museum, visitors might be intrigued by its vibrant hues, as archaeological findings often reveal colorful artifacts from ancient civilizations. The replica's colorful detailing might spark curiosity among archaeology enthusiasts, who can learn about the origins and significance of the Nebra Sky Disk.
Source: www.dpa.com
