Old-age celestial map or star map found in Castelliere di Rupinpiccolo

Castelliere di Rupinpiccolo is one of the oldest hillforts in Italy, near the province of Trieste.

The hillfort settlement dates to the middle Bronze Age, as per archaeological records, and the occupation processed with the Iron Age up until the place was forsaken around the 5th century AD.

A press statement by the INAF: Two great-sized circular stones measuring 50cm in diameter were recently found at the entrance to the hillfort.

Image Credit : INAF

According to Paolo Molaro from the Italian National Institute of Astrophysics and members of the Ca Foscari University of Venice and ICTP, one carved stone represents a celestial map dating to the 4th century BC, and another stone points to the sun.

As per German Astronomy magazine, Astronomische Nachrichten, authors have found the celestial map or star map showing the open sky above Rupinpiccolo from around 2500 years ago. Also consider the Italy's oldest celestial map.

The members have identified 29 engravings on the stone, which match in exact terms to the constellations of Orion, Scopius, the Pleiades, and Cassiopia. Based on the cuts and angles in the stone, the researchers suggest that the carving was made by the same person using a metal chisel with a 6-7 mm tip and a hammer.

A specific star engraved on the stone indicates that Theta Scorpii has become concealed from the sight at the Castelliere di Rupinpiccolo due to its down position on the horizon. However, using the Stellarium program to simulate the night sky, researchers find that this star was noticed in 400 BC in an ancient hillfort.

As most of the interesting part is 29th engraving, there is no match with the celestial model. Instead, the study authors discussion that it could actually be a represent of Supernova, a transient phenomenon that appeared in the 29th engraving, is of particular interest as it has become visible quickly in the night sky in ancient times for months or days and then gradually grow faint and disappear.

If this is indeed the case, the research suggests that tracing the focal point in the night sky by correlating with the 29th engraving will potentially reveal a black hole left behind by the supernova explosion.