How Did the First Clocks Tell Time Accurately?

Imagine a clock that doesn't have numbers or hands, just something that moves and repeats. That's how the first clocks worked! They used water, sand, and even sunlight to tell time, like counting steps in a big race.

How It Worked

People filled up jars with water so it trickled out slowly, showing how much time had passed. Or they used hourglasses, little bottles of sand that poured from one side to the other. The sun was also helpful; when it moved across the sky, people knew what part of the day it was.

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Examples

  1. A water clock in the shape of a rabbit fills up slowly, showing how much time has passed.
  2. An hourglass with red sand turns over to mark when it's time for lunch.
  3. A sundial casts a shadow that moves from morning to night.

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