Study uncovers possible Viking solar compasses in Ukraine’s medieval stone discs

Proceeding from a recent report, The Independent reveals that a fascinating new study suggests that mysterious medieval stone discs discovered in Ukraine may have been used by the Vikings as solar compasses for sea navigation. 

A new study suggests that the mysterious medieval stone discs discovered in Ukraine were likely used by the Vikings as solar compasses for maritime navigation. The eight distinct discs, crafted from pyrophyllite slate— a mineral easy to shape— and dated to the 12th and 13th centuries, resemble wooden solar compasses found in other parts of Europe. Archaeologists believe that the Vikings may have shared their navigation techniques with non-Scandinavian communities, leading to the spread of these advanced tools.

The study, published in the Polish journal Sprawozdania Archeologiczne, highlights that the discs from Ukraine display characteristics that suggest they were used as solar compasses. They also bear resemblance to Viking artifacts discovered in Greenland and Poland. Initially, researchers believed the discs were used by local communities as either calendars or tools for sharpening objects or crafting jewelry.

“These disks have been previously interpreted as various items, including calendars, craft tools such as needle sharpeners and polishing stones, as well as components of hand-operated bow drills,” the study says.

However, some of their distinctive features, such as intricate engravings of rings, lines, and other deliberate designs, raised questions about their true purpose.

The study confirms that the discs date back to the 12th and 13th centuries and that three of them closely resemble Viking compasses found in other locations.

“Through measurements and surface analysis, three stone disks exhibit similarities to the Viking sun compasses, with a limited number of examples found in Greenland and the Baltic Sea region,” the study notes.

The Vikings began settling in regions surrounding the Baltic Sea, including present-day Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus, during the 8th and 9th centuries AD. They brought with them advanced technologies, such as navigation tools, which they shared with local communities.

By Naila Huseynova