Research Information System
Art-Sanat Dergisi, vol.24, pp.1-30, 2025 (ESCI, Scopus)
Timekeeping has been a fundamental necessity throughout human history, essential for maintaining social order and organizing daily life. Archaeological and written sources show that ancient civilizations developed various time measurement tools to meet this need. In this context, sundials, which are based on the position of the shadow cast by a gnomon (a shadow-casting part of the sundial) depending on the Sun’s position in the sky, are among the oldest known chronometric tools. Sundials, typically made of stone, were preferred for their durability, long-lasting use, and practicality. Sundials, which can be considered the ancestors of today’s clocks, are one of the oldest devices used to measure time and have played a significant role in civilizations’ understanding of the concept of time. In this study, the Nabataean sundial with inventory number 7664 (ESEM) discovered in Mada’in Salih (Saudi Arabia) and exhibited in the Ancient Orient Museum of Istanbul Archaeological Museums, is examined. Mada’in Salih, a significant archaeological site, was a major Nabataean city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its location in the Nabataean Kingdom and its connection to Rome are crucial in understanding the cultural and intellectual interactions that may have influenced the design and use of the sundial. The travels of Western scholars to this region also provide essential insights into the global reach of the Nabataean culture. Also, the issue of the sundial’s belonging to the Nabataeans has been resolved. Since the sundial features a typical Hellenistic-Roman dial, it has been discussed whether it was imported to Mada’in Salih and whether there was a possibility of knowledge and technology transfer between the Nabataean and Roman civilizations. Therefore, the Aramaic inscription on the lower part of the sundial is analyzed. The final section focuses on the advanced knowledge of the Nabataeans in astronomy, mathematics, geometry, and geography, specifically in relation to the working principles of the sundial in question.