Reconstruction of Ancient Egyptian Sundials

TL;DR

This study reconstructs ancient Egyptian vertical and L-shaped sundials, proposing models that account for geographic latitude and offering a simple, accurate method for time measurement, including decoding historical inscriptions.

Contribution

It introduces new models for vertical and L-shaped sundials, detailing their design features and operational principles, and deciphers an ancient inscription related to sundial markings.

Findings

Developed a model for vertical sundials with inclined gnomons

Reconstructed L-shaped sundials functioning with vertical sundials

Decoded inscription indicating half-hour intervals on L-shaped sundials

Abstract

The article presents the results of a study of the design features of vertical and L-shaped ancient Egyptian sundials, developed their models, on the basis of which the reconstruction of the sundial was carried out. An original scheme of a simple method for a fairly accurate time measurement with their help is also proposed. The model proposed by us, which describes a vertical sundial, is a vertical sundial with an inclined gnomon that takes into account the latitude of the area. The model proposed by us is characterized by marking the hour lines from 6 to 12 o'clock every hour. From 12:00 a shift is made in the marking of the hour lines for half an hour, and then the marking is repeated every hour. As a consequence of the reconstruction of the vertical sundial, we have developed and proposed a model that describes the design features and operation of two types of L-shaped sundial. They had to work in conjunction with an inclined gnomon, like a vertical sundial, or directly with a vertical sundial. In this case, the L-shaped sundial could complement the vertical sundial by providing the ability to read hour markers and interpret the readings of the vertical sundial, as there were no inscriptions on the vertical sundial. The article also provides a decoding of the inscription from the tomb of Seti I, which has long intrigued researchers. It is proved that the inscription contains the lengths of the intervals between adjacent marks of the L-shaped sundial of the second type, where the first interval corresponds not to one hour, but to half an hour.