Abstract
The article analyzes ancient sundials from the regions of Moesia and Thrace, with particular emphasis on the find from Montana. The problem is significant for studies on the development of technology and science in the ancient world. The aim of the work is to determine the typology, function, and methods of construction of sundials. The author applies archaeological analysis and mathematical-geometrical methods. The most important results indicate that several types of sundials (including spherical, cylindrical, and planar) have been discovered in present-day Bulgaria, and the example from Montana belongs to the rare group of cylindrical sundials. The analysis also shows that these devices were used both for measuring time and organizing daily life (e.g., guard shifts). The article also discusses methods of reconstructing parameters such as the length of the gnomon or geographical latitude. The conclusion emphasizes the high level of astronomical and engineering knowledge in antiquity.
References
Aleksandrov G., Antična vila No 2 kraj Montana, „Izvestija na Muzeite na Severna Bălgarija” 1980, vol. 4, p. 9–64.
Aleksandrov G., Dva slănčevi časovnika ot Montana, „Izvestija na Muzeite na Severna Bălgarija” 1978, vol. 2, p. 33–38.
Aleksandrov G., Latinski nadpisi ot Montana, „Vekove” 1977, vol. 5, p. 52–61.
Astronomičeski kalendar, Sofija 1983.
Bilfinger G., Die Zeitmesser der antiken Völker, Stuttgart 1886.
Buchner E., Aristomenes – Uhren in Samos, „Chiron” 1973, vol. 3, p. 119–129.
Buchner E., Römische Medaillons als Sonnenuhren, „Chiron” 1976, vol. 6, p. 329–348.
Buchner E., Solarium Augusti und Ara Pacis, „Mitteilungen des Deutschen Archäologischen Instituts, Römische Abteilung” 1976, vol. 83, p. 319–365.
Clagett M., Greek Science in Antiquity, New York 1955.
Dreyer J. L. E., History of the Planetary Systems from Thales to Kepler, Cambridge 1906.
Gibbs S. L., Greek and Roman Sundials, New Haven–London 1976.
Herz P., Untersuchungen zum Festkalender der römischen Kaiserzeit nach datierten Weih- und Ehreninschriften, vol. 1, Mainz 1975.
Hristov V. K., Geodezičeska astronomija, Sofija 1964.
Ionescu-Carligel C., Contributions à l’étude des cadrans solaires antiques, „Dacia” 1970, vol. 14, p. 119–137.
Landels J. G., Engineering in the Ancient World, London 1978.
Neugebauer O., Über eine Methode zur Distanzbestimmung Alexandria – Rom bei Heron, København 1938.
Pipunyrov V. N., Istorija časov s drevnih vremen do naših dnej, Moskva 1982.
Ruseva-Slokoska L., Nadpis za slănčev časovnik ot Pautalija, „Muzej i pametnici na kulturata” 1974, vol. 2–3, p. 60–65.
Tončeva G., Dva nadgrobni pametnika ot Odesos [in:] Sbornik Izsledovanija v čest na Karei Škorpil, eds. Kr. Mijatev, V. Mikov, Sofija 1961, p. 233–238.
Ward F. A. B., Time Measurement, London 1970.
Zajdler L., Dzieje zegara, Warszawa 1956 (1977).
Zavelskij F. S., Vremja i ego izmerenija, Moskva 1972.
License
© by Adam Mickiewicz University, Faculty of History, Poznań, 1990
OPEN ACCESS