14 min listen
Hebrew astrolabe
ratings:
Length:
14 minutes
Released:
Jun 29, 2010
Format:
Podcast episode
Description
Neil MacGregor's world history as told through objects at the British Museum. This week he is exploring high status objects from across the world around 700 years ago. Today he has chosen an astronomical instrument that could perform multiple tasks in the medieval age, from working out the time to preparing horoscopes. It is called an astrolabe and originates from Spain at a time when Christianity, Islam and Judaism coexisted and collaborated with relative ease - indeed this instrument carries symbols recognisable to all three religions. Neil considers who it was made for and how it was used. The astrolabe's curator, Silke Ackermann, describes the device and its markings, while the historian Sir John Elliott discusses the political and religious climate of 14th century Spain. Was it as tolerant as it seems?
Producer: Anthony Denselow.
Producer: Anthony Denselow.
Released:
Jun 29, 2010
Format:
Podcast episode
Titles in the series (100)
Mold Gold Cape: Neil MacGregor tells the story of a gold cape found in Wales and made over 3500 years ago. by A History of the World in 100 Objects