L-shaped Sundial in the Osireion
Identification
| ID in this catalogue | SL Osireion |
| Type | L-shaped |
| Current Location | In situ |
| Catalogue Numbers | None |
| Provenance | Osireion, Abydos: ceiling of "Sarcophagus Chamber" |
| Date | New Kingdom, Seti l (c. 1300 BC) |
| Dimensions | Height of text and diagram approx. 3m. Height of gnomon in drawing approx. 30 cm. |
| Material | Carved on stone ceiling |
| Markings and inscriptions | Each marking on the sundial is accompanied with a number (3,6,9,12) which relate directly to the ratio of lengths between adjacent marks on surviving L-shaped sundials. |
| Notes | This is a chapter of (or perhaps appendix to) the Book of Nut (also known as the Fundamentals of the Course of the Stars) which contains a diagram of an L-shaped sundial and a text explaining its manufacture and use. It was first published by Frankfort (1933). Major editions of the whole text are presented in Neugebauer and Parker (1960) and von Lieven (2007). Discussion of the interpretation of the text is ongoing. |
| Literature |
Frankfort (1933) Ch. 8, Pls. LXXXII-LXXXIII; Macnaughton (1944); Neugebauer and Parker (1960) pp. 116-119, Pl. 32; Bruins (1965); Isler (1991); Clagett (1995); Fermor (1997); Symons (1998); Symons (1999); Symons (2002b); von Lieven (2007); Salmas (2014); von Bomhard (2014); Hoffmann (2016); Symons (2016) |
Images
Frankfort (1933) Plates LXXXII and LXXXIII, published by the Egypt Exploration Society and reproduced with the kind permission of the Society.
L-shaped Sundial ÄM 19744 in Berlin
Identification
| ID in this catalogue | SL Berlin ÄM 19744 |
| Type | L-Shaped |
| Current Location | Ägyptisches Museum, Berlin, Room 0.00 |
| Catalogue Numbers | ÄM 19744 |
| Provenance | Ashmunein (Borchardt 1910) |
| Date | New Kingdom, Thutmosis lll (c. 1500 BC) |
| Dimensions | L 232 mm, H 46 mm, W 24 mm (museum web database) |
| Material | Metamorphic green slate (Borchardt 1910) |
| Markings and Inscriptions |
Five circular marks on scale. Two holes on top of gnomon, vertical line for plumb bob on right side. Inscriptions with name and titles of Thutmosis III on each long edge of the scale. |
| Notes |
The oldest piece in this catalogue. Borchardt acquired both this and SL Berlin ÄM 19743 at the same time from Maurice Nahman in Cairo (Rau 2002) |
| Literature | Borchardt (1910); Borchardt (1920) p. 32 ff.; Sloley (1931); Bruins (1965); Larson (1992); Clagett (1995); Fermor (1997); Symons (1998); Symons (1999); Symons (2002b); Rau (2002); Tupikova and Soffel (2012); Salmas (2014) |
Images
An image is contained in this web page (the image is near the top of the page, then click for a larger version)
L-shaped Sundial on Papyrus EA10673 in London from Tanis
Identification
| ID in this catalogue | SL BM EA10673 |
| Type | L-shaped |
| Current Location | British Museum, London |
| Catalogue Numbers |
EA10673, Frame 3, fragments 60-62 1885, 0101.558.3 |
| Provenance | San el-Hagar, Tanis. Donated to the British Museum by the Egypt Exploration Fund in 1885 |
| Date | Roman, 30 BC - 3rd Century AD |
| Dimensions | |
| Material | Papyrus |
| Markings and inscriptions | Papyrus fragments contain a drawing of an L-shaped sundial, with diagonal lines indicating shadows and numbers indicating hours |
| Notes |
The BM also lists EA76499,1 (2010,1006.7) a tin box containing further fragments of this papyrus. The status of this new collection (acquired in 2010) is unknown, awaiting publication by Ryholt. "Tin box ('Huntley & Palmers Biscuit Manufacturers') with label 'Blackened Papyrus-fragments (part of Tanis geographical papyrus?). Received from Egypt Exploration Society (Summer 1933). To await examination by Mr. Shorter.' Later label by Stephen Quirke 'Tanis? Charred fragments EES presented 1933 summer kept in Keeper's Room until JAN 1992'. Inside are numerous small bodies of charred papyrus rolls wrapped in paper; several have the figure '20' on them. Too fragile to estimate the exact number; the box is full." (British Museum Database) Griffith and Petrie (1889) Plate IX shows that fragment 1 contains several sundial hieroglyphs. |
| Literature |
Griffith and Petrie (1889) Part II and Pl. XV; Borchardt (1910); Borchardt (1920) p. 4; Sloley (1931); Pogo (1932b); Clagett (1995); Symons (1998); Symons (1999); Salmas (2014) |
Images
The British Museum database has images of the papyrus here (the fragments relating to the sundial are labelled 60, 61, and 62).
Griffith and Petrie (1889) Pl. XV contains a drawing of the fragments:
