Apart from the needle, no iron was used to make the compass or its holder (because iron nearby would stop it being accurate.)

If the bronze bits of the compass survived, why do you think the iron didn't.

1 To protect it the compass was in a wooden box with a sliding lid.

2 The compass bowl is also made of wood, it had a glass top to it protect the compass card and the needle. (The card has rotted away.)

3 The compass needle swung on this brass spike.

4 We think this iron stain is all that is left of the needle

5 The compass bowl was held by two brass gimbals. These let the compass bowl swing in any direction, so it would stay level when the ship was moving.

Have a go at making your own compass!