Ancient Sundials

Dialface ID 29

ObjID-29-1

Holder:: Soprintendenza Speciale per i Beni Archeologici di Napoli e Pompei, Pompei, Italy
Site:: Pompei, Italy
Material:: Marble, White
Dating:: before 79 AD, Case del Menandro 80 BC-14 AD
Type:: Sphere, Spherical-cut dials--central gnomon point
Inventory Number:: 44295
Site Geolocation:: Lat.: 40.7503, Long.: 14.4871

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Abstract

The frontUP and LP of this tall sundial are connected by a torus moulding. The frontLP is divided into a horizontal and a sloping part. On each side of this stands a lion's foot with four toes, visible claws and clenched tendons. The indentation between frontLP and base might be a clamp groove. Gibbs: The base of a bronze gnomon in lead fill is preserved in the top of the dial surface. [...] Traces of iron and lead can be seen in a mount hole marking the center of the bottom surface.

Measurements

Measurement record: pipeline ObjID 29, matched to this dialface by inventory number.

Quality grade	B (completeness 10 %)
Dial surface	sphere (decisive) · fit residual mm: cone 3.83, cylinder 3.84, sphere 1.49
Latitude φ	no latitude determined
Engraved lines	9 hour lines, 0 day lines
Cone half-angle α	not applicable or not determined
Measured	2026-06-12 21:30

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References

– Gibbs, Sharon L., Greek and Roman Sundials, New Haven and London, 1976, p. 145.
– Allison, Penelope M., The Insula of the Menander in Pompeii Vol. III: The Finds, a Contextual Study, Oxford, 2006, cat. no. 964.