THE CRETAN MIDDLE BRONZE AGE ‘MINOAN KERNOS’ WAS DESIGNED TO PREDICT A TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE AND TO FACILITATE A MAGNETIC COMPASS
Keywords:
Minoan Kernos, Archaeoastronomy, Solar Eclipse Predictor, Hipparchus, Prototype Magnetic Compass, Zeus, History of Mathematics.Abstract
Archaeometry is the application of scientific techniques used to analyze archaeological materi-
als. The Cretan Bronze Age Minoan Kernos, has hitherto, been regarded as a gaming board or for
religious purposes. Here, it is shown, that, it was designed, specifically, to predict the occurrence
of the 9th. January 1860 BCE Total Solar Eclipse. A prototype magnetic compass was centrally fa-
cilitated in a non-magnetic marble structure, whose geomagnetic declination angle, appears to co-
incide with the Kernos‟ eclipse prediction-axis orientation. Comparisons of eclipse constructions
taken from Kernos measurements, with those of Hipparchus (2nd. c. BCE), appear to be similar,
suggesting a common origin. Evidence obtained using a multidisciplinary approach, is testament
to the sophistication of Middle Bronze Age science and technology and the ability to create a
mathematically-based eclipse predictor and magnetic compass, 3800 years ago and 1700 years be-
fore the advent of the Antikythera Mechanism.
