How Do You Make An Egyptian Water Clock?
Building an Egyptian water clock provides an opportunity to experience an aspect of daily life in ancient Egypt. According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s website, physics.nist.gov, one of the earliest water clocks came from the tomb of Amenhotep I, a pharaoh who died circa 1500 BCE. Egyptian water clocks consisted of stone containers with sloped sides. Water dripped from a hole close to the base at a steady rate, allowing the Egyptians to tell time based on the water level. Unlike a sundial, this method allowed the Egyptians to tell time at night and on overcast days. (See References 1) Make a hole in the can. Harvard University’s Hands On Astronomy website suggests making a working water clock model by poking a hole in the bottom of a coffee can, in the center of it. (See References 2: Water Clock Activity) Turn the can upside down on work surface and hammer a nail into it. Pull the nail out. Select a jar that can hold the can, and that will be stable enough t
