While there is no definitive answer to when the first compass rose was invented, the earliest known examples date back to the 13th century.

Here's what we know:

* Medieval Period: The earliest compass roses, which were simple diagrams showing the cardinal directions (north, south, east, west), appeared in the 13th century on nautical charts.

* Pre-13th Century: While there's no evidence of a compass rose before the 13th century, it's likely that early navigators used rudimentary methods to indicate direction before the rose came into use.

It's important to note that the development of the compass rose likely wasn't a sudden invention but a gradual evolution from simpler methods of navigation. The use of compasses and the knowledge of cardinal directions existed long before the 13th century, but the specific design of the compass rose as we know it today emerged during that time.