One of the oldest yet simplest Chinese astronomical instruments, it was composed of a vertical rod (the gnomon) set on level ground and a horizontal scale with marks at regular intervals lying due north-south. The gnomon could be made of bamboo or stone, but after the Han Dynasty bronze was used. The length of tropical year, the seasons and solar periods could all be determined by measuring the gnomon’s shadow cast on the horizontal scale at mid-day.
This is the replica of a gnomon excavated in 1972 from Tomb No. 2 of the Han tombs, which were located in the Yinque Mountain in Linyi, Shandong Province. Its vertical rod stands eight Chinese inches high, which is about one-tenth of the height of a standard gnomon. When folded it could also be used as a ruler.
This is the replica of a gnomon excavated in 1972 from Tomb No. 2 of the Han tombs, which were located in the Yinque Mountain in Linyi, Shandong Province. Its vertical rod stands eight Chinese inches high, which is about one-tenth of the height of a standard gnomon. When folded it could also be used as a ruler.
