Archaeology & History

Ancient stone carving may depict supernova

By T.K. Randall
January 11, 2018

Image: Artist's Impression of the Dust Surrounding a Supernova Explosion
Credit: ESO/M. Kornmesser / CC BY 4.0 (adapted) Originally discovered in the Himalayan territory of Kashmir during the 1960s, the carving (see below), which dates back around 5,000 years, appears to depict a traditional hunting scene with two tribesman chasing a bull with a bow and spear while two 'suns' shine down on them from high above.

Now however, by looking back at astronomical events that might have been visible to the original artists, Indian astrophysicist Mayank Vahia and his team have put forward a fascinating new theory which suggests that the second 'sun' might actually be a supernova.

Not only that, but the researchers also believe that the figures themselves may be star constellations."The whole hunting scene... fits quite well into the pattern of stars in the sky," Vahia wrote.

"The image of one of the hunters coincides with the Orion; the central stag is same as the Taurus. The hunter on the right may have been formed from stars of Cetus and other animal on the right may be Andromeda and Pegasus. The long, curved line in the carving, traditionally interpreted as spear, may well be an arc of bright stars."

If true, this would make this rock carving the oldest known sky chart in history.

Astrophysicist Mayank Vahia & @TIFRScience colleagues believe a rock painting from 3600 BC. found in the Kashmir region is the oldest record of a supernova and likely the oldest sky chart ever drawn. https://t.co/2a2UoAlbyC#MondayMotivation#SuperNova pic.twitter.com/DlccrAUSrB

— Cynthia Green (@HistThruModEyes) January 8, 2018

Source: Russia Today

Tags: Supernova