Rare Centuries-Old Astrolabe Reveals Muslim-Jew Scientific Collaboration

Verona’s museum in Italy now holds a remarkable testament to scientific collaboration across faiths.

Researchers at Cambridge University in the UK have identified a rare astrolabe – an instrument once used for navigation, timekeeping, and even astrology, which dates back to the 11th century.

The astrolabe is etched with inscriptions in both Arabic and Hebrew. Experts believe these markings reflect a fascinating exchange of knowledge between Islamic and Jewish scholars during the medieval period.

According to the researchers, the presence of Muslim prayer lines on the astrolabe suggests its Islamic origin. They add that later additions in Hebrew hint at its journey into Jewish hands, possibly within the Sephardic community of Spain where Arabic was widely spoken.

The discovery showcases a period of rich intellectual exchange between the two cultures.