However, we know that sundials were used in ancient Egypt and Babylon as early as 3500 BC. These early sundials were likely simple, consisting of a stick or obelisk casting a shadow on a marked surface.
Here's what we can say about sundial history:
* Ancient Egyptians: They developed sundials for telling time and tracking seasons. These early sundials were often shaped like a T or an L.
* Ancient Babylonians: They also used sundials, and some evidence suggests they may have even had more complex designs.
* Ancient Greeks: The Greeks made significant contributions to sundial design, including the development of the *gnomon* (the shadow-casting object) and the *hour lines* (lines that mark the hours).
While we can't pinpoint the exact inventor, sundials are a testament to the ingenuity and curiosity of ancient civilizations who sought to understand and measure time.
