In Poland, a 500-year-old navigational tool was discovered by archaeologists, potentially linking it to Copernicus.

An ancient tool dating back 500 years was discovered in the gardens of Frombork, Poland.

The compass, made from copper, was a rare find. Its shape was similar to a wishbone, with two prongs extending at the top into the shape of a letter V.

Warminska Grupa Eksploracyjna announced the discovery in a Facebook post on Aug. 4, 2024.

The group has announced their success in locating ancient artifacts through the discovery of underground tunnels.

The archeology group's Facebook post revealed that this compass is only the third of its kind discovered in Poland, along with photos of the discovery.

Detekt Archaeological Services confirmed that the compass, discovered after being found, was from between the 15th and 16th centuries, according to Live Science.

The compass is thought to have ties to Nicolaus Copernicus, the Polish astronomer and mathematician, due to its discovery in Frombork, particularly in the gardens where he spent a significant amount of time.

"The Misja Skarb Foundation, a group involved in the discovery, wrote on their translated webpage that they found an ancient compass that likely belonged to Nicolaus Copernicus. This tool, used by an astronomer to make precise measurements and calculations, is of great historical significance as it provides direct evidence of the practical application of science by Copernicus."

According to History.com, Copernicus was the first European scientist to propose that the Earth and other planets revolved around the sun, and he made significant contributions to the field of astronomy, particularly with regards to the heliocentric theory. He was born on February 19, 1473.

Astronomers believed that the Earth was at the center, but this was contradicted by new evidence.

Many astronomers after him built on Copernicus' ideas, which laid the groundwork for a better understanding of the universe.

In 1532, Copernicus published his book "On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres," which outlined his theory.

In 1543, the work was published, the same year Copernicus died in Frombork.

The famed astronomer's compass has been relocated to the Nicolaus Copernicus Museum, which already possesses another similar tool, as stated in an Aug. 4 Facebook post from the museum.