Sundial calendar - Mesopotamia - Ancient Qumran 200 B.C.E Solar year clock
Qumran sundial
200 b.c.e
Diameter – 9 cm / 3-1/2 inches
Depth – 6.5 cm / 2-1/2 inches
“Knowledge of the sundial and the gnomon and the twelve divisions of the day came into Greece from Babylon”
……………………Herodotus – 500 B.C.E
On offer here is a replica of the Qumran sundial which is one of the most significant discoveries of an early time keeping device. Found buried near the city gate which faces Jordan it has proved to be a functional object with tests done at the very site of the city. Made of a limestone and quartzite composition stone, it has an aged black colouration with traces of ochre.
Background information
It is a shallow dish like object with engraved rings and marker lines and it was designed to measure the passage of the sun though a yearly cycle, not for hours of the day. Using a small stick or ‘gnomon’ imbedded into the central depression, it could determine the day of the vernal equinox.
Reading the shadows cast from the central gnomon the length of the shadow line determined the seasons indicated by the rings.
*In the photographs I have used half an incense stick which is perfect to use for the central depression. It would thus be desirable to actually use it at night as an incesnse holder in it's own right when not in use.
*As each item is handmade, slight colour variations may occur.
Shipping from Australia
Processing time
3-5 business days
Estimated shipping times
- North America : 1 - 3 weeks
- Europe : 1 - 3 weeks
- Australia, New Zealand and Oceania : 1 - 2 weeks
- Asia Pacific : 1 - 3 weeks
- Latin America and the Caribbean : 1 - 3 weeks
- North Africa and the Middle East : 1 - 3 weeks
- Sub-Saharan Africa : 1 - 3 weeks
I'll do my best to meet these shipping estimates, but can't guarantee them. Actual delivery time will depend on the shipping method you choose.
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Buyers are responsible for any customs and import taxes that may apply. I'm not responsible for delays due to customs.
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Returns & Exchanges
I gladly accept returns and cancellations
Just contact me within: 5 days of delivery
Ship items back to me within: 14 days of delivery
Conditions of return
Buyers are responsible for return shipping costs. If the item is not returned in its original condition, the buyer is responsible for any loss in value.