THE UISPP JOURNAL

Anna Paule – SKY DISC AND ASTRAL BOWL: A RE-EXAMINATION OF METAL ARTEFACTS BEARING ASTRAL MOTIFS IN BRONZE AND IRON AGE EUROPE AND THE NEAR EAST (c. 1600‒700 BC)

Archaeological finds from Bronze and Iron Age Europe and the Near East bear witness to an early fascination with sky observation. Notable among them are the Nebra Sky Disc from Germany (c. 1600 BC) and an Aramaic astral bowl from Luristan, Iran (mid -8th century BC). Though differing in form and period, both bronze artefacts feature inlaid or engraved astral imagery, suggesting shared concepts and techniques that merit closer study. Little research has compared astral iconography across these regions, mainly due to disciplinary specialization separating European and Near Eastern archaeology and the study of the respective iconographic traditions. The present study investigates the interplay of craftsmanship, iconography, and archaeoastronomy, reassessing manufacturing methods, colour symbolism, and astronomical meanings to contribute to a broader understanding of early visualizations of the sky.

Reference as:

Ollendorf A. 2025. Sky disc and astral bowl: a re-examination of metal artefacts bearing astral motifs in Bronze and Iron Age Europe and the Near East (c. 1600‒700 BC). UISPP Journal 7, 21–38. https://doi.org/10.62526/6M1Z8H

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