1574 in science

The year 1574 in science and technology involved some significant events.

Archaeology

• In Rome (Italy), in the river Tiber between the two bridges, the monument base is discovered for a statue of Simon Paeter (or Simon the Sorcerer, the "Magus of Samaria"), with inscription "Simoni Deo Sancto" (translation: "To Simon the Holy God").

Exploration

• Juan Fernández, a Portuguese navigator, discovers, along the coast of Chile, the Juan Fernández Islands, where later shipwreck survivor Alexander Selkirk (the real figure behind Defoe's "Robinson Crusoe") will live for four years.

Mineralogy

• The Charcas Mineral District in the state of San Luis Potosí (New Spain, later Mexico) is discovered for the mining of lead, zinc, copper, and silver.
• Publication of Lazarus Ercker's textbook Beschreibung allerfürnemisten mineralischen Ertzt und Berckwercksarten ("Description of Leading Ore Processing and Mining Methods") in Prague.^[1]

Births

• March 5 - William Oughtred, English mathematician, inventor of the slide rule (d. 1660)
• August 7 - Robert Dudley, English navigator (d. 1649)

Deaths

• January 26 - Martin Helwig, Silesian cartographer (b. 1516)
• August 27 - Bartolomeo Eustachi, Italian anatomist (b. 1500 or 1514)

References