Nicolaus Copernicus’ Lost Compass Found After 500 Years
A compass estimated to be over 500 years old has been discovered by amateur archaeologists at Frombork Castle in northern Poland. This castle was the site where Copernicus made his groundbreaking astronomical discoveries and developed the heliocentric system of the world.
As reported by Day.Az, citing foreign media, the compass depicted in Jan Matejko‘s famous painting “Preservation of Nature by God” was found in a room under the castle gardens. Legend has it that Copernicus used a secret tunnel from his personal residence to the city cathedral. The compass was discovered in this tunnel.
The team behind the find, Treasure Mission, shared a photo of the compass hanging above the painting on social media. They wrote, “In the garden where Nicolaus Copernicus made his astronomical observations, we have found a compass dating back to the early 16th century. This incredible find not only takes us back in time to the period when Copernicus made his groundbreaking discoveries, but also opens up new insights into his working methods.”
Zoryana Polenik of the Nicolaus Copernicus Museum in Frombork believes the compass may have belonged to the great astronomer. She notes that Copernicus was forced to leave the castle in 1520 due to the war with the Teutonic Knights. He later published his groundbreaking work, ”De Revolutionibus Orbium Coelestium,” in 1543.
Furthermore, a group of Polish scientists recently recreated Copernicus’s face using modern technology. Despite no known paintings or self-portraits during his lifetime, the reconstruction process, based on a skull found in his supposed grave and computer techniques, resulted in a highly realistic portrait. The scientist depicted had light hair, a stern expression, a large nose, and a protruding chin, characteristics common among Polish nobility of that era.
Nicolaus Copernicus was buried in Frombork Cathedral, but his grave remained undiscovered for centuries. In 2006, DNA analysis of a hair sample from an astronomical book used by Copernicus confirmed that it belonged to him. In 2008, skeletal bones found under the castle foundations were confirmed to be those of the famed astronomer.
Stay updated with the latest news by subscribing to our WhatsApp channel!