Die Himmelsscheibe von Nebra: Zum Stand der Deutung und Datierung eines schillernden Ritualgeräts

Abstract

The aim of this article is to present the discussion on the symbolism and chronology of the Nebra Sky Disk. It was found in 1999 by two looters on the Mittelberg near Nebra. Thus, the indications remain questionable. There is also no proof, that the disk has been part of a deposition of several objects. The image of the disk is a pictogram or cypher, but never an astronomical measuring instrument or contained a complex calendar. The Nebra Sky Disk originally shows the night sky with the moon in two different forms and some stars, amongst them the Pleiades, symbols of sowing and harvest (phase I). The two lateral golden arcs added in a further step (phase II or III) are interpreted as markers of the northern and southern tropics of the moon and not of the sun. The so-called sun-boat is interpreted as the blade of a ‘big button sickle’. Thus, the symbolism of moon and sowing/harvest was strengthened. If so, this gives an indication for dating phase II or III of the Nebra Sky Disk to the Late Bronze Age. The two further manipulations don’t concern the symbolism of the disk. First it was perforated with no bearing on the image (phase IV). With the ritual deposition one of the two ‘horizon arcs’ finally was removed or got lost (phase V). The Nebra Sky Diks may have been in use until the (Early) Iron Age.