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2,000-yr Old Sundial Changes Perception of Ancient Rome
www.haaretz.com ^ | 11/08/2017 | By Ruth Schuster

Posted on 11/09/2017 6:27:23 AM PST by Red Badger

One Marcus Novius Tubula apparently ordered the sundial to mark his noble appointment as tribune of Rome itself, say archaeologists after finding it in ancient town of Interamna Lirenas

One day around 2,000 years ago, a Roman named Marcus Novius Tubula ordered an elaborate sundial, University of Cambridge researchers report after finding it intact two millennia later during excavation in the Roman town of Interamna Lirenas, near Monte Cassino, in Italy.

Carved in limestone and 54 centimeters in width, the sundial's concave face was engraved with 11 hour lines intersecting three day curves. Thus the device could give indicate the season: the winter solstice, equinox and summer solstice, the archaeologists say. Its gnomon (pointer) was mostly gone, but a bit of it survived under lead fixing.

The sundial is one of less than 100 of its type that have survived, say archaeologists.

Its even rarer inscription, in Latin, tells us about the man who commissioned it, say researchers from the University of Cambridge.

The Tubula sundial, in situ Faculty of Classics, Cambridge University

Conveniently for history buffs, the official had his name and status engraved on the sundial's base. Marcus Novius Tubula noted that he was the son (filius) of another Marcus. His office, the sundial states, was Plebeian Tribune (Tribunus plebis). It even states that he paid for it with his own money.

Given that Tubula went to the trouble to inscribe the sundial with his avowal that he had paid for it, it implies a gift for the benefit of others, Cambridge University archaeologist Alessandro Launaro told Haaretz: Tubula was stating that he hadn't had it made using public resources to which he had access by virtue of his office.

(Excerpt) Read more at haaretz.com ...


TOPICS: Astronomy; Education; History; Science
KEYWORDS: clock; ggg; sundial; time
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To: Red Badger

Who went out to turn it for daylight savings time?


21 posted on 11/09/2017 7:52:52 AM PST by bgill (CDC site, "We don't know how people are infected with Ebola.")
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To: ETL

LOL...I guess people who need to have a Tesla would also be buying stuff like that. But very cool looking, regardless.


22 posted on 11/09/2017 7:53:58 AM PST by BobL ( I beat up McDonald's and Walmart because it makes me feel like a man.)
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To: Red Badger

Fossil Sundial Watch Vintage Collectible Novelty Wristwatch

Image result for flintstone sundial watch

$119.00

SKU: SundialSD6720
Condition: New

Availability:
In Stock, one only! LAST ONE

http://www.craftsnclocks.com/fossil-sundial-watch-vintage-collectible-novelty-wristwatch/

23 posted on 11/09/2017 7:57:01 AM PST by ETL (Obama-Hillary, REAL Russia collusion! Uranium-One Deal, Missile Defense, Nukes. See my FR page)
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To: bgill

The house slave of course!...............


24 posted on 11/09/2017 7:57:04 AM PST by Red Badger (Road Rage lasts 5 minutes. Road Rash lasts 5 months!.....................)
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To: Red Badger

There is a photo somewhere of a similar one pulled from the rubble dumped by the Palestinians as they continue to destroy what is left of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.


25 posted on 11/09/2017 8:26:26 AM PST by Ruy Dias de Bivar
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To: Ruy Dias de Bivar

Islam - Religion of pieces........................


26 posted on 11/09/2017 8:31:46 AM PST by Red Badger (Road Rage lasts 5 minutes. Road Rash lasts 5 months!.....................)
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To: ETL

LOL!

I a million years, I would not have thought that this was a real product.

That is too nuts!


27 posted on 11/09/2017 8:34:03 AM PST by VanDeKoik
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To: VanDeKoik

I’m sure it’s a traditional watch only with sundial-like components for hands. Pretty sure, anyway. :)


28 posted on 11/09/2017 8:42:34 AM PST by ETL (Obama-Hillary, REAL Russia collusion! Uranium-One Deal, Missile Defense, Nukes. See my FR page)
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To: VanDeKoik

That one and other versions are on ebay! That’s funny...I had no idea either.


29 posted on 11/09/2017 8:43:02 AM PST by Tammy8 (Please be a regular supporter of Free Republic !)
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To: VanDeKoik

https://www.google.com/search?q=Fossil+Sundial+Watch&safe=active&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiRwcye-LHXAhWFdSYKHYXMCg4Q_AUICygC&biw=977&bih=493


30 posted on 11/09/2017 8:44:02 AM PST by ETL (Obama-Hillary, REAL Russia collusion! Uranium-One Deal, Missile Defense, Nukes. See my FR page)
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To: Red Badger

This is old news to an old timer like me.


31 posted on 11/09/2017 8:45:04 AM PST by DaxtonBrown
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To: VanDeKoik
In a million years, I would not have thought that this was a real product.

But Fred Flintstone had one millions of years AGO.

32 posted on 11/09/2017 8:51:43 AM PST by ETL (Obama-Hillary, REAL Russia collusion! Uranium-One Deal, Missile Defense, Nukes. See my FR page)
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To: BobL
Hell, they had sundials during the Stone Age. Some were even miniaturized so they could be worn as watches.

They had nice ones for fancy dress too!

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

33 posted on 11/09/2017 10:21:53 AM PST by Mastador1 (I'll take a bad dog over a good politician any day!)
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To: BobL

All that squinting finally had a solution. The Sumerians and Old Kingdom Egyptians had pez nez with prescription ground optics.


34 posted on 11/09/2017 4:12:49 PM PST by PIF (They came for me and mine ... now it is your turn ...)
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