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Medieval Water Clocks
In the 1120s, water-powered timekeeping devices were used and improved across Eurasia: Chinese Northern Song clepsydras, Islamic float water clocks, …
Timeline
- c. 1121–1125Kaifeng · KaifengIn the 1120s, the Northern Song court continued using multi-stage clepsydra systems, measuring time by dripping water and issuing solar terms and night watches nationwide; clepsydras were closely integrated with astronomical observation.
- c. 1125–1130Baghdad and Damascus · Islamic worldIn the 1120s, Islamic scholars inherited and improved float-type and gear-linked water clocks, while European monasteries also used water clocks to regulate prayer times; Eurasian timekeeping traditions continued to evolve in their respective contexts.
Sources
- Revolution in Time: Clocks and the Making of the Modern World — David S. Landes (1983)
- Science and Civilisation in China, Vol. 4: Physics and Physical Technology, Part 2: Mechanical Engineering — Joseph Needham (1965)