>Can anyone tell me which is thought to be the earliest UK sundial? David Brown Somerton, Somerset, UK<
There are a number of Saxon dials in the UK (circa 50?) though of those the Bewcastle Cross dial might well be the earliest. However there is a Roman dial at the Hadrian's Wall fort of Vindolanda (SRN0818) which is now inside in the museum - and mounted upside down incidentally! (They have just discovered what might be a rare Roman calendar or even part of a water clock at Vindolanda too). There is another Roman dial at Hever Castle in Kent believed not to be mentioned in Gibbs though it might be one of those that Gibbs reports as "location unknown") It is SRN 1961 and the BSS Register says of it: "Important intact Roman spherical dial with ?11 inscribed hour lines & with oblique lower front and gnomon slot. Two (worn) lion supporters at base and two rosette decoration on top front. Set upon an inscribed square section Roman pedestal.". Gibbs reports a few Roman dials in the UK, one (Gibbs#1018) at Ince Blundell Hall, Lancs and of course several in the British Museum. My guess (and it is only a guess!) for the earliest outside those in museums would be that at Vindolanda and that must be presumed to be in its original location too. Hadrian's Wall was begun in AD 122 and mostly (amazingly!) completed in six years so we might even be brave enough to give the Vindolanda dial that sort of date! Regards Patrick --------------------------------------------------- https://lists.uni-koeln.de/mailman/listinfo/sundial
