INTERNACIONAL
Archaeologists find 500-year-old navigational tool in Poland, possible connection to Copernicus
A small ancient tool was unearthed in the canonical gardens of Frombork, Poland, that dates back 500 years.
The find was a rare compass made from copper. Its shape slightly resembles that of a wishbone in that it is connected at the top with the two prongs extending into the shape of a letter V.
The find was announced by the group responsible for its finding, Warminska Grupa Eksploracyjna, in a Facebook post on Aug. 4, 2024.
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«Today we are very successful,» a translated Facebook statement by the group says. The group further shared that they were able to locate underground tunnels where they spotted the ancient find.
This compass is only the third of its kind to be found in Poland, according to the archeology group’s Facebook post, which also showcased photos of the discovery.
After the artifact was found, it was put in the hands of Detekt Archaeological Services, which confirmed the compass was from between the 15th and 16th centuries, according to Live Science.
The compass is believed to have possible connections to Polish astronomer and mathematician Nicolaus Copernicus. The link between Copernicus and the tool mainly comes from the fact that it was found in Frombork, specifically in the canonical gardens where Copernicus spent much of his life.
«We discovered an ancient compass that probably belonged to Nicolaus Copernicus,» the Misja Skarb Foundation, a group also involved in the find, wrote on a translated webpage organized by Michael Antcza and dedicated to raising money for archaeological research. «This tool could be used by an astronomer to perform precise measurements and calculations that were crucial in his astronomical research. This find is of great historical importance because the compass is one of the few direct evidence of the practical application of science by Copernicus.»
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Copernicus was born on Feb. 19, 1473. He was known for his work in astronomy, especially regarding the heliocentric theory. He was the first European scientist to suggest that the Earth and other planets revolved around the sun, according to History.com.
This contradicted the common belief held by astronomers that the Earth was located at the center.
His ideas laid the groundwork for many astronomers after him, who built on Copernicus’ ideas to better understand the universe.
Copernicus’ theory was described in his book, «On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres,» which he finished in 1532, according to Space.com
It wasn’t until 1543 that the work was finally published, the same year Copernicus died in Frombork.
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Since the finding of what could be a compass of the famed astronomer, it has been relocated to the Nicolaus Copernicus Museum, which has another similar tool in its possession already, according to an Aug. 4 Facebook post from the museum.
INTERNACIONAL
3 Americans in Congo sentenced to death after coup attempt
Three American citizens have been sentenced to death in Congo after being convicted on charges of participating in a coup attempt, with one telling a court that his father — who led the failed effort — «had threatened to kill us if we did not follow his orders.»
A lawyer representing 21-year-olds Marcel Malanga and Tyler Thompson Jr. and 36-year-old Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun, is now planning to appeal the verdict following the botched attack orchestrated by Malanga’s father, Christian Malanga, in May that targeted the presidential palace and a close ally of President Felix Tshisekedi.
«We have seen that a military court in the Democratic Republic of Congo sentenced a number of defendants, including U.S. citizens, to death for alleged involvement in the May 19th attacks against the government,» State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said Friday. «We understand that the legal process in the DRC allows for defendants to appeal the court’s decision. Embassy staff have been attending these proceedings … We’ll continue to attend the proceedings and follow the developments closely.»
When asked if he thought the court process was fair, Miller responded, «I don’t want to pass judgment on the proceedings so far, because we are still in the middle of the legal process.»
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Six people were killed during the botched coup attempt, including Christian Malanga, who was fatally shot while resisting arrest soon after live-streaming the attack on his social media, the Congolese army said.
Marcel Malanga, who is a U.S. citizen, told a court during the case that his father had forced him and his high school friend to take part in the attack, according to The Associated Press.
«Dad had threatened to kill us if we did not follow his orders,» Marcel Malanga reportedly said.
Other members of the ragtag militia recounted similar threats from the elder Malanga, and some described being duped into believing they were working for a volunteer organization, the AP adds. Marcel’s mother, Brittney Sawyer, maintains that her son is innocent and was simply following his father, who considered himself president of a shadow government in exile.
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Thompson Jr. flew to Africa from Utah with the younger Malanga for what his family believed was a free vacation, and Zalman-Polun is reported to have known Christian Malanga through a gold mining company.
Thompson’s family says he had no knowledge of the elder Malanga’s intentions, no plans for political activism and didn’t even plan to enter Congo. He and the Malangas were meant to travel only to South Africa and Eswatini, his stepmother, Miranda Thompson, told the AP.
«We urge all who have supported Tyler and the family throughout this process to write to your congressmen and request their assistance in bringing him home,» their lawyer in Utah, Skye Lazaro, said to the news agency, adding that the family is heartbroken over the verdict.
Sen. Mike Lee and a spokesperson for Sen. Mitt Romney said they are both engaged with the State Department over the matter.
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In addition to the three Americans, a Briton, a Belgian and a Canadian were sentenced to death after being convicted of participating in the plot, along with 27 others.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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