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

Year 2025, Issue: 24, 1 - 30, 12.08.2025

İbrahim Oğuzhan , Hakan Temir

https://doi.org/10.26650/artsanat.2025.24.0018

Abstract

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 Sun’s 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 today’s 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 Mada’in Salih (Saudi Arabia) and exhibited in the Ancient Orient Museum of Istanbul Archaeological Museums, is examined. Mada’in 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 sundial’s 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 Mada’in 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.

Keywords

Istanbul Archaeology Museums Ancient Orient Museum Nabataeans Romans Mada Sundial

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İstanbul Arkeoloji Müzeleri Eski Şark Eserleri Müzesindeki Nabatîler Dönemi 7664 Envanter Numaralı Güneş Saati Üzerine Bir Değerlendirme

Year 2025, Issue: 24, 1 - 30, 12.08.2025

İbrahim Oğuzhan , Hakan Temir

https://doi.org/10.26650/artsanat.2025.24.0018

Abstract

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, Güneş’in 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 Sâlih’te (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 Çağ’daki konumu, Roma’yla 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 Sâlih’e 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.

Keywords

İstanbul Arkeoloji Müzeleri Eski Şark Eserleri Müzesi Nabatîler Romalılar Medâin-i Sâlih Güneş Saati

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There are 121 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language Turkish
Subjects Visual Arts (Other)
Journal Section ARAŞTIRMA MAKALESİ
Authors

İbrahim Oğuzhan 0000-0002-8304-8135

Hakan Temir 0000-0002-4142-6310

Publication Date August 12, 2025
Submission Date March 14, 2024
Acceptance Date August 12, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Issue: 24

Cite

Chicago Oğuzhan, İbrahim, and Hakan Temir. “İstanbul Arkeoloji Müzeleri Eski Şark Eserleri Müzesindeki Nabatîler Dönemi 7664 Envanter Numaralı Güneş Saati Üzerine Bir Değerlendirme”. Art-Sanat, no. 24 (August 2025): 1-30. https://doi.org/10.26650/artsanat.2025.24.0018.
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