ObjID108-02
‹ Ancient Sundials
Dialface ID 105
Page 1 of 3
Abstract
Conze: Aus einem älteren Werkstücke gearbeitet. Gibbs: The gnomon hole is 20 mm deep. Two fine profiles of Athena (left) and Dionysos (right) in low relief decorate the sides. A head of Helios is carved onto the center of the base flanked by two stylized legs. A geometric design decorates the back (“the ornament of the Patera”) and small leaves have been engraved on the sides in the angle between the top and front edges.
Measurements
Measurement record: pipeline ObjID 108, matched to this dialface by inventory number.
| Quality grade | B (completeness 82 %) |
|---|---|
| Dial surface | cone (decisive) · fit residual mm: cone 0.42, cylinder 2.57, sphere 2.67 |
| Latitude φ | 33.31 ± 0.04° (consensus of witnesses) |
| Klima | nearest Alexandria (58.1 sigma) |
| Engraved lines | 11 hour lines, 2 day lines |
| Cone half-angle α | 40.0 ± 4.56° (cone residual on all points 0.42 mm) |
| Measured | 2026-06-12 20:13 |
What the dial shows at this latitude
| Winter solstice | Equinox | Summer solstice | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noon altitude of the Sun | 33.0° | 56.7° | 80.4° |
| Noon shadow (gnomon heights) | 1.54 | 0.66 | 0.17 |
| Length of the day | 9.8 h | 12.0 h | 14.2 h |
| Length of a seasonal hour | 49 min | 60 min | 71 min |
Computed for the measured latitude with the obliquity of the JPL ephemeris at 101 BC (year -100). The latitude is the one the dial was made for, not a find-spot coordinate.
References
- – Conze, A., Erwerbungen der königlichen Museen zu Berlin im Jahre 1879 - I. Sammlungen der Sculpturen und Abgüsse, 1880, p. 37.
- – Conze, Alexander, Verzeichniss der antiken Skulpturen des Königlichen Museums in Berlin mit Ausschluss der pergamenischen Fundstücke, Berlin, 1885, p. 195.
- – Diels, Herrmann, Antike Technik, Leipzig and Berlin, 1920, p. 175 and plate 14 (drawing).
- – Scott Gatty, Margaret, The Book of Sun-dials, London, 1900, p. 33.
- – Gibbs, Sharon L., Greek and Roman Sundials, New Haven and London, 1976, p. 225.
3D Models
