Ancient Stone Disks in an Italian Castle Point to an Early Sky Map
Two round stones with a diameter of fifty centimeters were discovered within the ruins of Castellere di Rupinpiccolo, an ancient hilltop fortress in the Italian province of Trieste. Early reports attribute the find to the Italian National Institute of Astrophysics, highlighting the possibility that one of the disks may hold Italy’s oldest celestial map. The excavation description comes from Arkeonews, citing INAF as a principal source.
The site, perched on a historic hill, showcases a defensive complex that experts date to a period spanning roughly from 1800 to 1650 BCE. During ongoing studies, researchers from the University of Venice in collaboration with INAF have examined two stone disks near the castle entrance. Both disks measure about 50 centimeters in diameter and approximately 30 centimeters in thickness. One image appears to portray the Sun, while the other is interpreted as a sky chart dating back roughly 2,500 years to the fourth century BCE. This combination of findings has led scientists to regard the artifact as the oldest map created in Italy, according to current scholarly assessments.
While there exist older depictions of celestial scenes in various regions, many of these earlier representations are symbolic rather than precise reproductions of star positions. The newly analyzed map from Italy reportedly features twenty-eight elements that align convincingly with well-known star groups and constellations, including Cassiopeia, Orion, Scorpius, and the Pleiades. The researchers suggest that the carvings were produced by a single artisan, using a hammer and a coarse metal chisel with tips estimated around six to seven millimeters in width. However, one additional mark on the map does not correspond to any documented astronomical object, prompting the hypothesis that it might represent a supernova observed in antiquity and later fading from the sky. In astronomical terms, a supernova is an explosive explosion that temporarily vastly increases a star’s brightness by thousands of times before leaving behind remnants such as neutron stars or black holes. The interpretation of this solitary mark as a past supernova carries weight in discussions about early sky mapping and the transmission of celestial knowledge in ancient cultures.
The discovery adds a compelling chapter to the study of prehistoric astronomy in Europe. Proponents of the interpretation emphasize that the two disks likely served a ceremonial or instructional purpose, offering a visual reference to celestial cycles during a period when written records were scarce and observational astronomy relied on oral traditions and practical demonstrations. The Sun depiction on one disk might have marked the solar path or solstitial positions, while the paired map would have functioned as a rotational guide or mnemonic device for locating significant stars across the sky throughout the year. Researchers note that the craftsmanship appears to reflect a blend of functional intent and symbolic meaning, suggesting the maker valued both accurate orientation and illustrative storytelling when conveying celestial knowledge to an audience that included rulers, priests, soldiers, and craftsmen alike.
Scholars propose that the find could illuminate broader patterns of early scientific thinking in the region, where communities formed sophisticated understandings of seasons, navigation, and ritual calendars long before the emergence of formal written systems. The collaboration between Venice’s academic researchers and INAF underscores the importance of cross-disciplinary approaches in archaeology and astronomy, pairing material analysis with celestial interpretation to reconstruct ancient practices. The ongoing examination aims to verify dating, ascertain the precise orientation of the carvings, and assess whether the stones were originally placed in a specific ceremonial setting or served as portable navigational aids for travelers passing near the fortress. While the current assessment remains preliminary, the consensus is that the disks constitute a remarkable bridge between art, science, and memory in antiquity.
Beyond the Trieste region, similar explorations in other parts of Europe reveal a tapestry of early sky mappings, many of which blend practical astronomical use with ritual significance. The Italian find, however, stands out for its scale, its apparent alignment with recognizable constellations, and its potential to push back the timeline of charted celestial knowledge in the country. Researchers emphasize that further investigations will seek to confirm the exact dating of the disks, the methods used to carve the imagery, and the degree to which the design reflects observational precision versus symbolic representation. Such work may also yield clues about the transmission routes of astronomical ideas across the ancient Mediterranean world, contributing to a broader understanding of how early societies organized and communicated their knowledge of the heavens.
In related historical context, notable archaeological notes from the southern region of Ukraine mention the crafting of quivers from human skin, illustrating diverse material practices across Eurasia during ancient times. This reference underscores the variety of techniques employed by different cultures as they adapted available resources to support daily life, defense, and ceremonial activities. While the Ukrainian example sits far from the Italian site, it serves to remind readers of the wide spectrum of prehistoric innovations that scholars continue to explore and document.