In 2013, archaeologists from the University of Basel conducting excavations in Egypt's Valley of the Kings unearthed a limestone tile (a so-called ostracon). Initially unremarkable, this piece of rock revealed its historical significance as one of the world's oldest sundials, dating back to the 13th century BC. The sundial features a central hole for a gnomon (a rod made of wood, bronze or lead) allowing it to cast a shadow, and fan-shaped lines rendered in black pigments onto the limestone surface.

"Ra" was developed to bring this 3200 year old artifact to life. The project showcases the sundial's functionality, as a shadow moves across its surface to indicate the time. Numerals from 6 AM to 6 PM denote the hours. View (simulation, ostracon front, ostracon back), shadow and dial (original, equinox, winter solstice, summer solstice, today, today Luxor true solar) as well as the numerals (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, eastern Arabic, Arabic) can be toggled by means of hieroglyph buttons. The astronomical modes have been calculated for a latitude of 25.5° (Luxor).

Launch Ra, the world's oldest sundial!

Team

• Thomas Weibel
• Sophie Aellen
• Hugo Dupraz

Sources

• SRF: Basler Forscher finden altägyptische Sonnenuhr
• Susanne Bickel, Rita Gautschy (2014): Eine ramessidische Sonnenuhr im Tal der Könige, S. 3ff.

Logo, Media

• Wikimedia Commons: The Eye of Ra
• Wikimedia Commons: Ancient Egyptian sundial
• Myriam Frisano: Fourteen Dreams (brush lettering font)
• Noto Sans Egyptian Hieroglyphs

Credits

• Photos: Matjaz Kacicnik, University of Basel, Department of Ancient Civilizations, Kings' Valley Project