ObjI128-11
‹ Ancient Sundials
Dialface ID 126
Page 1 of 2
Abstract
The animal legs flanking the sundial are badly worn; the feet are completely broken off. On the side planes, these legs continue in a bas-relief. Shortly above the hock, a series of stalks, calyces and tendrils spring from the legs. A low, straight moulding concludes the lower part of the sides. Gibbs: A half-cylindrical gnomon hole and connecting groove are preserved in the top surface.
Measurements
Measurement record: pipeline ObjID 128, matched to this dialface by inventory number.
| Quality grade | A (completeness 75 %) |
|---|---|
| Dial surface | cone (decisive) · fit residual mm: cone 0.43, cylinder 1.86, sphere 3.38 |
| Latitude φ | 43.61 ± 0.54° (consensus of witnesses) |
| Klima | Massalia |
| Engraved lines | 10 hour lines, 2 day lines |
| Cone half-angle α | 28.5 ± 0.35° (cone residual on all points 0.46 mm) |
| Measured | 2026-06-12 20:16 |
What the dial shows at this latitude
| Winter solstice | Equinox | Summer solstice | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noon altitude of the Sun | 22.7° | 46.4° | 70.1° |
| Noon shadow (gnomon heights) | 2.39 | 0.95 | 0.36 |
| Length of the day | 8.7 h | 12.0 h | 15.3 h |
| Length of a seasonal hour | 44 min | 60 min | 76 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, figure 215 (drawing), plate 535 (photograph).
- – Gibbs, Sharon L., Greek and Roman Sundials, New Haven and London, 1976, p. 246.
3D Models
