An Evaluation of the Nabataean-Period Sundial with Inventory Number 7664 in the Ancient Orient Museum of Istanbul Archaeological Museums

İbrahim Oğuzhan; Hakan Temir

Makale detayları

An Evaluation of the Nabataean-Period Sundial with Inventory Number 7664 in the Ancient Orient Museum of Istanbul Archaeological Museums

Yazarlar:

İbrahim Oğuzhan | Hakan Temir

Yayıncı:

Istanbul University

Ana Başlıklar:

Görsel Sanatlar (Diğer)

Dergi:

Art-Sanat Issue 24, pp.1-30

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

12/2025

Belge Dili:

Türkçe

Document ID (Org No.):

2001356343

pISSN:

2148-3582

Anahtar kelimeler:

Özet:

 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 Suns 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 todays 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 Madain Salih Saudi Arabia and exhibited in the Ancient Orient Museum of Istanbul Archaeological Museums, is examined. Madain 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 sundials 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 Madain 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.

 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 Suns 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 todays 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 Madain Salih Saudi Arabia and exhibited in the Ancient Orient Museum of Istanbul Archaeological Museums, is examined. Madain 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 sundials 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 Madain 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.

 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 Suns 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 todays 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 Madain Salih Saudi Arabia and exhibited in the Ancient Orient Museum of Istanbul Archaeological Museums, is examined. Madain 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 sundials 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 Madain 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.

 Zamanın ölçülmesi, toplumsal düzenin sağlanması ve günlük yaşamın organize edilmesi açısından insanlık tarihi boyunca temel bir gereklilik olmuştur. Arkeolojik ve yazılı kaynaklar, Antik Dönem medeniyetlerinin bu ihtiyacı karşılamak amacıyla çeşitli zaman ölçüm araçları geliştirdiklerini göstermektedir. Bu bağlamda, Güneşin gökyüzündeki konumuna bağlı olarak bir gölge milinin gnomon oluşturduğu gölgenin konumunu esas alan güneş saatleri, bilinen en eski kronometrik araçlar arasında yer almaktadır. Genellikle taştan imal edilen güneş saatleri dayanıklılıkları, uzun ömürlü kullanımları ve pratik olmaları sebebiyle tercih edilmiştir. Günümüzdeki saatlerin atası olarak da değerlendirilebilecek güneş saatleri, zamanı ölçmek için kullanılan en eski araçlardan biridir ve medeniyetlerin zaman kavramını anlamasında büyük rol oynamıştır. Bu çalışmada, Medâin-i Sâlihte Suudi Arabistan keşfedilen ve İstanbul Arkeoloji Müzeleri Eski Şark Eserleri Müzesinde sergilenen 7664 EŞEM envanter numaralı Nabatî güneş saati incelenmiştir. Öncelikle Medâin-i Sâlih bölgesinin Antik Çağdaki konumu, Romayla ilişkisi ve Batılı bilim insanlarının buraya yaptıkları seyahatler ele alınmıştır. Diğer yandan bahse konu güneş saatinin Nabatîlere aidiyeti mevzusu çözümlenmiştir. Güneş saatinin tipik Helen-Roma kadranı olması münasebetiyle Medâin-i Sâlihe ithal olarak gelip gelmediği, Nabatî-Roma uygarlıkları arasında gerçekleşen bilgi ve teknoloji aktarımının imkânı çerçevesinde tartışılmıştır. Daha sonra saatin alt kısmında bulunan Aramice yazıt tahlil edilmiştir. Son bölümde ise Nabatîlerin astronomi, matematik, geometri ve coğrafya gibi ilimlerde ne kadar ileri oldukları, ilgili güneş saatinin çalışma prensipleri özelinde analiz edilmiştir.

Makale detayları

An Evaluation of the Nabataean-Period Sundial with Inventory Number 7664 in the Ancient Orient Museum of Istanbul Archaeological Museums

Yazarlar:

İbrahim Oğuzhan | Hakan Temir

Yayıncı:

Istanbul University

Ana Başlıklar:

Görsel Sanatlar (Diğer)

Dergi:

Art-Sanat Issue 24, pp.1-30

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

12/2025

Belge Dili:

Türkçe

Document ID (Org No.):

2001356343

pISSN:

2148-3582

Istanbul Archaeology Museums

Ancient Orient Museum

Nabataeans

Romans

Mada

Sundialİstanbul Arkeoloji Müzeleri

Eski Şark Eserleri Müzesi

Nabatîler

Romalılar

Medâin-i Sâlih

Güneş Saati

Sayı

Makale detayları

Yazarlar: İbrahim Oğuzhan | Hakan Temir

Yayıncı: Istanbul University

Ana Başlıklar: Görsel Sanatlar (Diğer)

Dergi: Art-Sanat Issue 24, pp.1-30

Belge Tipi: Makale

Yayın Tarihi: 12/2025

Belge Dili: Türkçe

Document ID (Org No.): 2001356343

pISSN: 2148-3582

Sayı

Yazarlar:

İbrahim Oğuzhan | Hakan Temir

Yayıncı:

Istanbul University

Ana Başlıklar:

Görsel Sanatlar (Diğer)

Dergi:

Art-Sanat Issue 24, pp.1-30

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

12/2025

Belge Dili:

Türkçe

Document ID (Org No.):

2001356343

pISSN:

2148-3582