ObjID126-1
‹ Ancient Sundials
Dialface ID 124
Page 1 of 4
Abstract
The limbus is set off by a broad line of red colour. Two narrow cyma recta legs flank the base. Gibbs: A broken bronze gnomon remains in the lead filled hole in the top surface of the dial. [...] Narrow stylized legs, flanking the base, have a cyma reversa profile. [...] There are traces of a dark red color in the three day curves as well as similar red color in the hour lines. An 11 mm band of red color emphasizes the circular section at the front of the dial. Found in 1910 northwest of the bank of Sacred Lake in Delos.
Measurements
Measurement record: pipeline ObjID 126, matched to this dialface by inventory number.
| Quality grade | A (completeness 100 %) |
|---|---|
| Dial surface | cone (decisive) · fit residual mm: cone 0.37, cylinder 3.58, sphere 4.02 |
| Latitude φ | 37.97 ± 0.80° (consensus of witnesses) |
| Klima | Athens, Delos |
| Engraved lines | 11 hour lines, 3 day lines |
| Cone half-angle α | 34.3 ± 0.09° (cone residual on all points 0.39 mm) |
| Measured | 2026-06-12 20:15 |
What the dial shows at this latitude
| Winter solstice | Equinox | Summer solstice | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noon altitude of the Sun | 28.3° | 52.0° | 75.7° |
| Noon shadow (gnomon heights) | 1.86 | 0.78 | 0.25 |
| Length of the day | 9.3 h | 12.0 h | 14.7 h |
| Length of a seasonal hour | 47 min | 60 min | 73 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
- – Deonna, Waldemar, Le mobilier délien, Paris, 1938, p. 190 f., fig. 220-222 (drawings), plate 540 (photograph).
- – Gibbs, Sharon L., Greek and Roman Sundials, New Haven and London, 1976, p. 243.
3D Models
