The Ancient Chinese Sundial

1. The Ancient Chinese Sundial By Maria Xykis 6Kr

2. What is the sundial? Why was it made? The sundial is a way the Ancient Chinese told time. They used it for the reason we use clocks which is for many reasons. One of them being for arranging times to meet up with people, or just to see how much time of day is left.

3. How does it work? The way the sundial works is by the position of the sun. Since the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, it’s constantly moving. So, when it’s a sunny day, the “gnomon” (the thin rod or straight edge on the sundial) casts a shadow on the sundial. However, there is some math involved. In order to tell the correct time, the sundial will need to have an even amount of spacing between the numbers on the sundial.

4. Who invented it? When? Nobody is quite sure who invented the sundial, except for the fact that obviously, the Ancient Chinese did. However, a Greek philosopher named Anaximander invented the gnomon before the actual sundial was made. Archeologists figured out the sundial (by the Ancient Chinese) was invented in the year 600 B.C.

5. Do people still use sundials? Today, people do not use sundials. Instead, we use clocks to tell the time. However, some people have a sundial just for decoration or an artifact.

6. Thanks for Learning About the Ancient Chinese Sundial!