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When ESA astronaut Dr. Matthias Maurer set off for the International Space Station ISS on November 11, 2021, he was accompanied in several ways by the world-famous Nebra Sky Disc. The logo of his mission 'Cosmic Kiss' was inspired by the Sky Disc, and a smaller copy of the iconic archaeological find accompanied him into space. This well-traveled replica was presented this Saturday in the presence of the Prime Minister of Saxony-Anhalt, Dr. Reiner Haseloff, to the State Museum of Prehistory in Halle (Saale), home of the original Nebra Sky Disc, and will be on display there until May 5, 2024.
In December 2020 it was announced that the German ESA astronaut Dr. Matthias Maurer was selected for his first mission on the International Space Station (ISS). At the same time, the motto of his mission 'Cosmic Kiss' and the associated logo were revealed, which Maurer had chosen himself, as is usual among astronauts of the European Space Agency (ESA). "'Cosmic Kiss' is a declaration of love for space, its exploration and the space station as a link between humanity and the cosmos," explains the astronaut. »The people who had the Sky Disc created 3,600 years ago probably already had the same philosophical questions that we ask ourselves today when we look at the night sky: How did the universe come into being? How does it work? Is there another Earth out there with intelligent beings?" This connection between Maurer's space flight and the Sky Disc is also reflected in the mission logo: in the center is a stylized representation of the ISS, which is connected to the earth and the moon by a human heartbeat. At the same time, the mission badge is inspired by the Nebra Sky Disc: the earth and moon of the logo, as well as the star group of the seven Pleiades placed above, are borrowed from the Sky Disc.
But this was not the only homage to the archaeological find of the century, which was created over 3,600 years ago and bears the world's oldest representation of cosmic phenomena: When Maurer set off on November 11, 2021 from Cape Canaveral (Florida, USA) for his research stay on the ISS, he was accompanied by a smaller copy of the Nebra Sky Disc. The replica made of hand-colored epoxy resin has a diameter of 20 centimeters and, with its golden elements depicting the crescent and full moon, stars, horizon arches and a sun barge, conveys a true-to-original impression of the exceptional early Bronze Age find.
After the astronaut's return from the International Space Station on May 6, 2022, the copy of the Sky Disc that accompanied him is now also returning: On November 25 Maurer handed it over to the State Museum of Prehistory in Halle (Saale), where it will temporarily presented as a special highlight in its own showcase.
For the State Museum of Prehistory, the fact that Maurer incorporated the Sky Disc into his logo and took it with him to the ISS in the form of a scaled-down replica was a particular joy and honor. “This fact is a sign of appreciation for this special object as well as an expression of the connection between the past, present and future," said the Deputy State Archaeologist of Saxony-Anhalt, Dr. Alfred Reichenberger. The find reflects the preoccupation with celestial phenomena that connects the people of the Early Bronze Age, who created the Sky Disc more than 3,600 years ago, with today's scientists. On the other hand, the experiments on new materials and surfaces that Maurer carried out on the International Space Station are reminiscent of the Bronze Age craftsperson who shaped bronze, which was hardly in use at the time, forged the disc and, using a process that was new in Central Germany at the time, fixed the golden elements on it.
On the occasion of the event, Prime Minister Dr. Reiner Haseloff said: “We are proud of our country’s rich cultural and scientific heritage. And we are of course happy when attention is drawn to this heritage far beyond our national borders. The Sky Disc is a first-class ambassador for our country and thanks to Matthias Maurer, it plays this role not only on earth, but now even in space.«
With an age of more than 3,600 years, the Nebra Sky Disc is considered the world's oldest representation of concrete celestial phenomena. In 2013 it was included in UNESCO's 'Memory of the World' register due to its importance for human history.
The copy from space will be on display in the State Museum of Prehistory in Halle (Saale) until May 5, 2024.
ESA astronaut Dr. Matthias Maurer and Prime Minister of Saxony-Anhalt, Dr. Reiner Haseloff, holding ...
Anja Lochner-Rechta.
State Office for Heritage Management and Archaeology Saxony-Anhalt
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ESA astronaut Dr. Matthias Maurer and Prime Minister of Saxony-Anhalt, Dr. Reiner Haseloff, holding ...
Anja Lochner-Rechta.
State Office for Heritage Management and Archaeology Saxony-Anhalt
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