The astrolabe of Muhammad Ibn Ahmed Al-Battûtî in the History of Science Museum at the University of Oxford Archaeological and Artistic study (Published for the First Time)

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Lecturer of Islamic Archaeology - Archaeology Department Faculty of Arts– Beni Suef University (EGYPT )

Abstract

Astronomy in the Islamic Maghreb had a great place, and scientists had a great role in the development of astronomical instruments, especially the astrolabe, and they dedicated many scientific works to it, some of which were translated into foreign languages.
This research studies a remarkable astrolabe of the Astronomer Muhammad Ibn Ahmad al-Battûtî from Maghreb, made of brass and silver, preserved in the History of Science Museum at the University of Oxford in England. The research includes an introduction to the history of astronomy before Islam and among Muslims, the astrolabe, and its types. The research is divided into a descriptive study of both the front and the back of the astrolabe, as well as an analytical study that sheds light on raw materials and industry and clarifies the methods of formation and decoration.
 The study will address an explanation of the writings executed on this astrolabe: in terms of form and content; it includes the name of the astrolabe Muhammad Ibn Ahmad al-Battûtî, the supplication for him, and the date of the astrolabe by the method of calculating the Moroccan (Abjad) numerals. The analytical study also includes the vocabularies of the astrolabe, the mechanism of its use and the purposes of using the astrolabe.
This was followed by the conclusion, which included many important results, perhaps the most important of which is the good use of the astrolabe design in determining the place of its manufacture from the permissible type of calligraphy and the history of the astrolabe, which makes its study of importance; In the field of study of Islamic applied arts, as well as numerous figures and photographs

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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