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Nilometer in Egypt, 17th-century artwork C016 / 8926
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Nilometer in Egypt, 17th-century artwork C016 / 8926
Nilometer in Egypt. 17th-century artwork titled Nilometrium, showing a nilometer as used in Ancient Egypt. The central column is labelled in cubits to show the height of the water during the annual flood (up to around 10 metres). Many buildings were built in Egypt over the centuries to measure the rise and fall of the Nile. These measurements were vital for planning the farming that depended on the annual flood. A good year would be a flood of 16 cubits. Less would mark a drought, and more would be destructive flood. Artwork from the three-volume work Oedipus Aegyptiacus (1652-54) by German Jesuit scholar Athanasius Kircher (circa 1601-1680)
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Media ID 9243481
© ASIAN AND MIDDLE EASTERN DIVISION/NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY/ SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
1600s 17th Century Africa African Agriculture Ancient Egypt Antiquity Athanasius Kircher Building Classical Column Crocodile Egypt Egyptian Farming Flood Flooding German Hydrological Hydrology Jesuit Measure Measuring Measuring Device Meter Nile North Africa North African Physical Geography Record Recording River Water Supply 1652 1654 Cubits Nilometer
EDITORS COMMENTS
This 17th-century artwork titled "Nilometrium" showcases a significant piece of ancient Egyptian history - the Nilometer. The image depicts a classical structure used to measure the rise and fall of the Nile River during its annual flood. Constructed with meticulous detail, this illustration from Athanasius Kircher's three-volume work, "Oedipus Aegyptiacus" provides us with a glimpse into the hydrological practices of that era. The central column of the Nilometer is labeled in cubits, indicating the height of water during different stages of flooding, reaching up to approximately 10 meters. These measurements were crucial for planning agricultural activities that heavily relied on the annual flood. A successful year would witness a flood measuring around 16 cubits, while less indicated drought and more signaled destructive floods. Throughout Egypt's rich history, numerous buildings like this were erected along the Nile to record these vital measurements accurately. This monochrome artwork not only highlights an essential aspect of ancient Egyptian civilization but also showcases German Jesuit scholar Athanasius Kircher's dedication to documenting historical knowledge. As we gaze upon this print from Science Photo Library, we are transported back in time to witness how our ancestors ingeniously managed their water supply and harnessed nature's forces for agriculture in North Africa. It serves as a reminder that even centuries ago, humans possessed remarkable ingenuity and resourcefulness when it came to understanding and utilizing their environment effectively.
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