Rare 16th-century compass linked to legendary astronomer Copernicus unearthed

This 16th-century artifact was recovered from within a network of underground tunnels beneath the historic canonical gardens of Frombork. The gardens are said to be where the astronomer studied the stars and died in 1543. 

“This find is of great historical importance because the compass is one of the few direct pieces of evidence of Copernicus’ practical application of science. The discovery of this tool gives us a unique insight into Copernicus’ working methods and his influence on the development of science in Europe,” Michal Antczak, a member of the Misja Skarb Foundation, wrote on a translated fundraising page. This foundation also took part in this garden dig and may conduct further archaeological work.

Use of ground-penetrating radar

The garden tunnels were buried several years ago. These tunnels served as a passageway for Copernicus between his workplace and the town cathedral.

LiveScience reported that the exploration team acquired necessary permits and utilized ground-penetrating radar technology to search for the concealed tunnels. They were given only one excavation permit, hence the window of finding something was short.

The radar survey uncovered the “biggest anomaly,” and the team team decided to focus on it. Their effort was rewarded. The GPR survey anomaly was identified as the entrance to the tunnels.

As they delved further into the tunnel’s depths, the team made a remarkable discovery: a centuries-old compass. Archaeologists verified the artifact’s authenticity and dated it to the 15th or 16th century.

“They said it was very likely that it was an object of Nicolaus Copernicus because we were conducting work in one of his gardens,” Norbert Ogiński told Live Science.

Copernicus was a polymath

This compass, a tangible link to his world, offers a glimpse into the mind of a genius.

Copernicus is well known for his heliocentric theory placing the sun at the center of the solar system with planets orbiting it. In early astronomy, the prevailing belief was that the Earth occupied the central position within the solar system, with other planets orbiting it.

The Polish astronomer Copernicus suggested that our planet rotates once daily on its axis and attributed the occurrence of equinoxes to a gradual shift in the orientation of Earth’s axis. Copernicus was renowned for his astronomical discoveries and mathematical contributions.

Moreover, he held the position of canon at the local cathedral for a considerable period in Frombork. 

On August 8th, custody of the compass was transferred to the Nicolaus Copernicus Museum, which houses a similar artifact.

“Weekend compulsory duties of our museum workers are usually boring and not very exciting. But not today! “Congratulations to the lucky finder!” revealed the museum’s translated Facebook post.