Many of you may be wondering why there is this focus on a couple of old sundials on a medieval church in Germany. Let me offer a perspective. To me, this is important because it represents "seismic shift" in the understanding of time and the universe. The early dial at Braunschweig, perhaps 1334, is similar to the early mass dials seen in the UK, France and across across Europe. These represent a crude understanding of time, just sufficient to mark the times for prayers. There is a moderate improvement at Braunschweig as the angles are not just equal at 15ยบ per hour but represent the timelines at the equinox projected from a perpendicular horizontal (orthogonal) sundial.
The later Braunschweig sundial, 1346 perhaps, represents a "seismic shift" in the understanding time and the universe. The angles on this dial are correct for a polar gnomon and would show equal time throughout the seasons. This is a fundamental shift in how people perceived time. This dial may be the first sundial crafted on the basis of this new understanding. It may represent a significant step in European knowledge of the universe. If the dial actually had a polar gnomon and the dates based on the construction of the church are correct, this dial came before the Ibn Al Shatir dial in Damascus dated to 1371, often noted as the first polar, planar sundial. 1334 was an interesting year. "Times they were a' changin". The Renaissance was about to unfold. I am currently reading "1334' by Gavin Menzies. While I totally disagree with his premise that the Renaissance was ignited by the magnificent Chinese fleet sailing to Italy, he highlights the seismic shifts that were occurring at this time in history. This dramatic change is shown in a couple of simple sundials at Braunschweig. Everything I needed to know I learned from sundials. Regards, Roger Bailey "Life's but a Walking Shadow'
--------------------------------------------------- https://lists.uni-koeln.de/mailman/listinfo/sundial
