2,000 year old sundial discovered in southern Turkey

Sundial

Istanbul, March 20, 2020 (dpa/NAN) State news agency Anadolu reported on Friday that a more than 2,000 year old ancient sundial has been unearthed in Turkey’s Aegean city of Denizli.

The Hellenistic era marble sundial was found in one piece in the ancient city of Laodikeia, some 600 kilometres to the south of Istanbul.

Oriented towards the south, the sundial shows seasons, months and hours, said Celal Simsek, the chief archaeologist at Denizli’s Pamukkale University, referring to the piece as unique.

The sundial features images of foliage and Greek names of seasons, but is missing its shadow-casting needle, known as a gnomon.

Built in the 3rd century BC, Laodikeia has been on the UNESCO tentative list since 2013.

It was one of the seven churches named in the Book of Revelation, according to UNESCO.

Among the rare, largely preserved buildings in the city are the largest ancient stadium in Turkey, a theater and a sacred agora.

Laodicea is the largest ancient city in modern Turkey after Ephesus in Izmir, 200 kilometres to the west. (dpa/NAN)

HS/ISMA

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Edited by Halima Sheji/Ismail Abdulaziz