ObjID60-1
‹ Ancient Sundials
Dialface ID 57
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Abstract
The sundial has a round back. Its lower part is flanked by two ‘legs’: the upper part is decorated by two distinct and naturalistic lion heads, the lower part by clawless, four-toed feet. The shape is taken up again in the lower base part. Gibbs: Traces of iron and lead remain in the gnomon hole. [...] Traces of bored holes in the eyes and mouth can be seen in the lion heads on four-toed paws which flank the base.
Measurements
Measurement record: pipeline ObjID 60, matched to this dialface by inventory number.
| Quality grade | C (completeness 93 %) |
|---|---|
| Dial surface | cone (decisive) · fit residual mm: cone 1.72, cylinder 4.31, sphere 11.87 |
| Latitude φ | 51.95 ± 3.55° (single witness: hours-SuSo-regression) |
| Engraved lines | 11 hour lines, 3 day lines |
| Cone half-angle α | 9.9 ± 0.54° (cone residual on all points 1.71 mm) |
| Measured | 2026-06-12 20:59 |
What the dial shows at this latitude
| Winter solstice | Equinox | Summer solstice | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noon altitude of the Sun | 14.3° | 38.0° | 61.8° |
| Noon shadow (gnomon heights) | 3.91 | 1.28 | 0.54 |
| Length of the day | 7.4 h | 12.0 h | 16.6 h |
| Length of a seasonal hour | 37 min | 60 min | 83 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
- – Gibbs, Sharon L., Greek and Roman Sundials, New Haven and London, 1976, p. 171.
- – Pryce, F. N., Smith, A. H., Catalogue of Greek Sculpture in the British Museum, London, 1892, p. 413, no. 2545.
- – Ellis, Henry, The Townley Gallery of classical sculpture in the British Museum, London, 1846, p. 310f.
- – Lippincott, Kristen, The Story of Time, London, 1999, p. 108, cat. 102.
3D Models
