A stone die of the Minoan period, discovered near
Palaikastro in Crete, Greece, in 1899, was selected for this study as bearer of
astronomical significance. Strong evidence is presented in favor of its use
(especially of the “ray-bearing” disc on its right-hand side) as a die for the
construction of a device that could determine eclipse dates during the Minoan
period (circa 15th century BC); additionally, two more practical uses for it
are examined: as a sundial and as an instrument for the determination of the
geographical latitude.
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