Discover the Oldest Way to Measure Time: Sundials Explained

Explore how ancient civilizations used sundials to measure time, the origins of timekeeping, and its evolution over the centuries.

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Sundials are the oldest way to measure time. Ancient civilizations used the position of the sun's shadow cast by the gnomon on a flat surface to tell time. This led to the development of more advanced timekeeping devices over the millennia.

FAQs & Answers

  1. How do sundials work? Sundials work by casting a shadow from the gnomon, which indicates the time based on the position of the sun.
  2. What civilizations used sundials? Many ancient civilizations, including the Egyptians and Greeks, used sundials as one of the first timekeeping methods.
  3. What is a gnomon in sundials? A gnomon is the part of the sundial that casts the shadow, helping to indicate the time.
  4. What devices evolved from sundials? Sundials evolved into more advanced timekeeping devices such as water clocks, mechanical clocks, and modern digital clocks.

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If you enjoyed learning about sundials and the history of time measurement, check out our videos on the evolution of clocks and other ancient inventions that shaped human civilization.

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