Wacky Egyptians

Who were they?:
One of the earliest methods of keeping time was invented by the Egyptians.

Why did they keep time?:
The Egyptians kept time partially to track seasons, as they were agricultural and therefore concerned with seasons. However, priests and astronomers had to keep time more specifically, watching it almost to the hour, in order to perform daily rituals for important religious festivals.

Did their relationship to time reflect inherent beliefs?:
Yes, the whole development of a system of timekeeping that could be used in the dark as well as in the daytime was necessary due to their meticulous religious rituals.

What did they keep time with?:
They kept time with a water clock, an alabaster funnel-shaped pot with 11 fake holes and 1 real one at the bottom. The total of 12 holes were meant to correspond with the 12 hours of the night, a time when sundials were not useful. The water clock was filled with water and slowly escaped through the hole in the bottom. In order to see the time, one had to look in the pot and see where the nearest fake hole was in relation to the water level.

Who were the timekeepers?:
Mostly astronomers and priests.