‘On the construction of the two vases on the shoulders of the elephant, the hanging cymbal and the preparation of the water clock’. With this chapter, the scholar Al-Jazari ends his instructions for building an elephant water clock. The hands of the clock are driven by a buoy that sinks in water. Al-Jazari probably came from the Diyar Bakr region, which today belongs to Turkey.
In the 12th century, the scholar described 50 mechanical devices that he had developed over the course of his life in his Book of Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices. None of these devices have survived in their original form, but thanks to the detailed construction instructions, numerous replicas have been made.
A model of the elephant clock, probably Al-Jazari’s most famous work, can be seen in the ‘Museum of the History of Science and Technology in Islam’ in Istanbul. The exhibition presents the achievements and insights of Islamic researchers from the ninth to the 16th century. Among them are miniatures of observatories, models of the globe and, among other things, replicas of historical clocks.
A total of twelve disciplines are exhibited on two floors: there are the classic sciences of physics, medicine and astronomy, but also areas such as military technology, mining, architecture and urban planning.
The museum is located in Gülhane Park, in the former stables of the sultan.
More information: https://muze.gov.tr/muze-detay?SectionId=IBT01&DistId=MRK
Photo: Globe with al-Ma’mūn’s world map with Africa rounded, 2008, in front of the Istanbul Museum of the History of Science and Technology in Islam. Credits: Wikipedia/Tom Worthington.
