ObjID417-01
‹ Ancient Sundials
Dialface ID 456
Page 1 of 2
Abstract
At the top had been a horizontal rod of metal, a gnomon, which cast its shadow on the concave dial. The stub of the rod is still stuck in the stone. Such rods were known as the "point of the sundial" in the Mishnah (Kelim 12,5; Eduyot 3,8). Our sundial is ornamented on one side with a series of rosettes carved in bas-relief. The style and "woodcarving" technique of the rosettes are identical with the ornamentation commonly found on the Jewish ossuaries of the Second Temple period. This small, portable sundial is unique in its ornamentation and rare in its size.
Measurements
Measurement record: pipeline ObjID 417, matched to this dialface by inventory number.
| Quality grade | B (completeness 12 %) |
|---|---|
| Dial surface | cylinder (preferred, not decisive) · fit residual mm: cone 0.17, cylinder 0.17, sphere 0.85 |
| Latitude φ | no latitude determined |
| Engraved lines | 7 hour lines, 1 day lines |
| Cone half-angle α | not applicable or not determined |
| Measured | 2026-06-12 21:10 |
References
- – Avigad, Nahman, Discovering Jerusalem, New York, 1983, p. 119 f.
3D Models
