Innovation No. 19 of 77 in the book
The Clock
Water clocks measured time through the night
- When
- c. 1350 BCE
- Dynasty
- 18th Dynasty
- Era
- New Kingdom
The first machine that kept time on its own was a bucket of water. Egypt’s oldest surviving water clock dates to around 1350 BCE, from the reign of Amenhotep III.
Water drains at a steady rate through a small hole; falling markings inside the vessel show the hours passing. Unlike a sundial, it worked at night and indoors.
Priests used them to time temple rituals through the dark, when the stars were hidden by cloud.
The whole idea of a device that measures time by itself — clock, watch, timer — begins here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the earliest archaeological evidence for the clock in ancient Egypt?
The earliest confirmed evidence dates to approximately 1350 BCE during Egypt's New Kingdom (18th Dynasty). The first machine that kept time on its own was a bucket of water. Egypt’s oldest surviving water clock dates to around 1350 BCE, from the reign of Amenhotep III.
How did ancient Egyptians develop the clock, and what is its legacy?
Water drains at a steady rate through a small hole; falling markings inside the vessel show the hours passing. Unlike a sundial, it worked at night and indoors. Water drains at a steady rate through a small hole; falling markings inside the vessel show the hours passing. Unlike a sundial, it worked at night and indoors. The whole idea of a device that measures time by itself — clock, watch, timer — begins here.