Humans have been fascinated by the concept of time for millennia. 1. ………………………………… . The Egyptians were some of the first people to divide daytime and nighttime stages into smaller units. Long before wristwatches and alarm clocks, they invented a tool known as a "merkhet", meaning "instrument of knowing", which was an important milestone in our quest to understand and measure the passage of time.  The design of the merkhet was rather simple. 2. ………………………………………………….. .  A piece of rope or string with a small weight, called a plumb bob, was attached to its end. In order to use the tool effectively, two people with a comprehensive knowledge of astronomy had to stand one opposite the other at a distance of two or three metres. Each one held a merkhet. The first person held the merkhet at arm's length so that the plumb bob would hang vertically, and aligned it with the North Star. The second person sat between the first person and the North Star holding their merkhet in such a way so that it was aligned to the first person's merkhet. The space between them would create a perfect line running from north to south: a meridian. 3. ………………………… . By studying the angle of the crossings and the intervals between the stars' rising and setting, they were able to calculate the time of the night. In essence, the stars' rotation around the North Star functioned in the same way that an hour hand rotates around the centre of a modern-day clock.

The importance of the merkhet can only be properly appreciated in the context of the era in which it was invented. 4. ……………………………………………… .  The use of sundials had proved reasonably effective during the daylight, but naturally these were rendered useless after nightfall. Water clocks - or clepsydrae - were used to some extent, but lacked the desired precision. The merkhet was a huge leap forward as it allowed people to measure time with pinpoint accuracy without the use of the sun. 

What's more, the merkhet proved to be useful in more than just astronomy and timekeeping. The accuracy of the instrument and its ability to measure straight lines, both vertically and horizontally, meant that it served a similar purpose to a modern-day spirit level. 5. ………………………… .

Ancient Egyptians used symbols and pictures called hieroglyphs to record their history. Since their society predated written history as we understand it, it has been difficult for historians to acquire accurate information regarding that time period. 6. ………………………………………………. . In the temples of Dendera and Edfu it is still possible to see wall carvings which depict it in use. Not only that, there is even an authentic merkhet on permanent display in the Science Museum in London. It is said to date back as far as 600 BC!

TASK 2.-  Read the text and complete the gaps (1-6) with the correct sentence (A-G). One sentence is extra. 

 Until its creation, people had very limited means of telling the time. 

However. the use of the merkhet has been confirmed. 

It is believed that our curiosity first took root in ancient Egypt. 

In fact, it provided such precise measurements that it may even have been used in the construction of the great pyramids at Giza! 

Once the meridian was established, they observed the stars crossing it while rising or setting. 

It was an L-shaped bar made from wood, metal or bone. 

Modern astronomers claim there is still a lot to be learnt from this technology. 


​

Популярно: Английский язык

• 

  Thevalk3

  17.01.2023 02:30
  Alexander already has some ideas about typical british food. the usual meals are...
• 

  trototil

  18.06.2023 08:55
  Описать внешность человека по примеру (2-3 предложения) (20 ) name is from russia,...
• 

  kupcovaSvetl

  31.10.2020 14:39
  Complete the conversation using can od a form of be able to. the doctor /go)back...
• 

  Samsung123456789

  05.08.2022 14:40
  Придумайте рассказ на 6-7 предложений на языке. про любимый день...
• 

  вопрос65378

  17.12.2020 00:34
  Grammar complete the sentences with his, her, its or their. 1) the garter-browns...
• 

  АртемкаЧеловечек

  16.11.2020 17:29
  Вставьте нужные буквы. t*ank you very mu** for the fact card ,, r**n for*sts ....
• 

  Гуля2345

  27.02.2021 14:08
  Перевести текст traditional british meals на завтра...
• 

  маша3054

  23.12.2022 17:33
  Come and a day at aspendn english school. it is nearly 9 on a monday morning and...
• 

  veronikamantul

  27.10.2020 06:51
  Сделать 1) i think you know the boy 2) john lives in the house 3) i like small...
• 

  lubas143

  26.03.2020 23:33
  Іть це термі! скласти текст з ійської мови тема a day with me friend...