Merkhet – An Ancient Egyptian Timekeeping Instrument
AncientPages.com - A merkhet ("instrument of knowing") was an ancient Egyptian timekeeping instrument used for telling time at night. It is an amazing example of ancient technology.
The device was used for gauging astronomical alignments, with which the Egyptians achieved impressive accuracy — often less than an inch or so from being perfectly level or straight.
The device's accuracy enabled one to make astronomical observations. As a surveying tool, it was used in leveling to maintain a straight line. It was essentially an L-shape plumb bob secured on a holder aligned with a cleft staff. The bob would hang from the short vertical arm.
Based on the texts and engravings on the inner walls of the Egyptian temples of Dendera and Edfu, scientists concluded that the merkhet was typically used in conjunction with a corresponding sighting tool, which the Egyptians called a bay, itself made from a specially cut palm-rib with a sliced "V" shape at one end.
The two of these instruments could also be used, together, to determine North. The merkhet consisted of a string with a weight attached to one end, enabling a straight line to be measured. For the operation to work, two merkhets were required, one aligned with Polaris, the North Pole star.
If erected properly, and if a bay was on hand, one could estimate quite accurately the time by observing the transits of certain stars as they crossed the meridian and came into alignment with the two merkhets.
Several extant merkhets are on display at museums with collections of Egyptian artifacts, and numerous works of Egyptian art depict the use of merkhets. It has been suggested that these instruments were probably used in the construction of temples and tombs to align the structures in particular ways.
Copyright © AncientPages.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or part without the express written permission of AncientPages.com
Expand for referencesMore From Ancient Pages
-
Ruins Of Biblical City Of Corinth Discovered Underwater – Giant Monuments and Remains Of Lighthouse Still Well-Preserved
Archaeology | Dec 19, 2017
-
How Did A Rare 2,000-Year-Old Gem Seal Depicting God Apollo End Up In The City Of David?
Archaeology | Nov 5, 2020
-
Floors In Ancient Greek Luxury Villa Were Laid With Recycled Glass
Archaeology | Jul 25, 2022
-
Neolithic Farmers Invented Methods To Fight Pests 8,000 Years Ago
Archaeology | Jun 30, 2022
-
Anglo-Saxon Previously Unknown Monastic Or Trading Center – Discovered
Archaeology | Mar 7, 2016
-
Is The World’s Oldest Zero Hidden In The Bakhshali Manuscript?
Archaeology | Oct 28, 2017
-
Is North America’s Oldest House In Ohio A 12,250-Year-Old Clovis Dwelling? Archaeologists Re-Investigate The Paleo Crossing Site
Archaeology | Apr 28, 2022
-
Common genetic origin for farmers from Central Europe and the Mediterranean area
Human Beginnings | Sep 5, 2015
-
Tomb Of Hathor’s Priestess Hetpet Unearthed Near Pyramid Of Khafre, Cairo, Egypt
Archaeology | Feb 5, 2018
-
Minutes Did Not Exist During The Middle Ages
Ancient History Facts | Mar 2, 2016
-
Countess Loretta Of Sponheim Kidnapped Archbishop Of Trier And Got Away With It
Featured Stories | Sep 26, 2018
-
Sacred Number Four – Perfect Number And Deep Meaning Behind It
Ancient Symbols | Nov 7, 2017
-
Mystery Of The Watchers And Book Of Enoch – Fallen Angels And Their Secret Knowledge
Biblical Mysteries | Oct 27, 2017
-
Giants Of Monte Prama – Mysterious Ancient Statues With Unearthly Eyes
Artifacts | Aug 31, 2018
-
Who Were Or Are The Ninja – Those Ancient Spies And Mercenaries?
Featured Stories | Jul 3, 2018
-
Pharaoh Ramesses I Whose Mummy Was Stolen And Displayed As A Freak Of Nature For 130 Years
Featured Stories | Jul 31, 2021
-
Secrets Of The Gods – Why The Papyrus Of Manetho And His Pre-Dynastic King List Upset Egyptologists
Artifacts | May 16, 2017
-
Neolithic Watermelons Reveal Some Surprises About Our Ancestors
Archaeology | Aug 6, 2022
-
Weapons Left By Barbarian Tribes Discovered In Polish Forest
Archaeology | Jan 26, 2024
-
Mysterious Disappearance Of King Aegeus Of Athens After His Wedding
Featured Stories | Aug 1, 2022