The Verona astrolabe, which has inscriptions in Hebrew and Arabic, is thought to have been taken across Europe and North Africa. Photo: Federica Gigante
The Verona astrolabe, which has inscriptions in Hebrew and Arabic, is thought to have been taken across Europe and North Africa. Photo: Federica Gigante

Arts & Culture

'Fake' astrolabe in Italian museum is rare 11th-century Islamic-Jewish 'smartphone'

Multi-use instrument adorned with Hebrew and Arabic inscriptions discovered after art expert's chance encounter

Neil Murphy
Neil Murphy

March 04, 2024