#Great #Discoveries #Copernicus #Ancient #Compass #WorthPoint
Image Source: Warmian Exploration Group via Artnet
Renaissance mathematician and astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus may be best known for his model emphasizing the sun—not planet Earth—as the center of the solar system. Today, most people continue to believe Earth and other planets revolve around the sun. Perhaps this theory would have never been possible without Copernicus’s compass, which archaeologists may have recently discovered in Poland.
According to Artnet, members of the Warmian Exploration Group, an amateur archaeology organization, found a copper-alloy compass beneath the gardens of the Archcathedral of Frombork, a Roman Catholic cathedral. The compass is believed to be approximately 500 years old.
Unfortunately, there is no way to prove if the compass belonged to Copernicus. However, the archaeologists who discovered it noted that there are several signs that Copernicus may have used it.
These archaeologists pointed out that the compass looks nearly the same as the one depicted in the 1873 painting of Copernicus produced by Polish artist Jan Matejko. In this painting, Copernicus is standing on a balcony of the Archcathedral of Frombork and has a similar compass in his left hand.
Not only did Copernicus live near and work at the Archcathedral of Frombork in the 15th century, Artnet reported, but also the compass was also found close to where Copernicus was buried.
In addition to the compass, archaeologists found an underground room with three separate tunnels. According to Polish legend, Copernicus used secret tunnels to travel between his home and the Archcathedral of Frombork. It’s certainly possible that he dropped the compass while going back and forth between his home and work.
We will never know if the compass found in Poland belonged to Copernicus. Fortunately, for those who want to view other types of antique compasses, you can see over 120,000 such items in the WorthPoint Price Guide.
Dan Kobialka is a self-employed content writer and editor with about a decade of experience. He produces content across a wide range of industries, including antiques, insurance, and real estate. To learn more about Dan, please visit his website.
WorthPoint—Discover. Value. Preserve.
