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Faces of Korea- Water Clock & Sundial

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저작자 미상 (저작물 2267374 건)

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공표년도

창작년도

2007-05-17

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요약정보

Welcome back.
We have an installment from our Faces of Korea series up next‚ one that reflects Korean ancestors' understanding of the importance of time.
In today's fast-paced society‚ few things are as important as knowing the time.
Throughout history‚ scientists have strived to invent more-and-more accurate timepieces.
The earliest time-measuring devices were the sundial and the water clock.
The world's first clock‚ the sundial was invented around two-thousand BC in Babylonia‚ what is present-day Iraq.
The first sundials measured time according to the position of a shadow on the ground.
On the Korean Peninsula‚ the sundial came into use during the Three Kingdoms era‚ which spanned from 57 BC to the 7th century.
Under King Sejong's reign a scientific sundial known as ''Angbooilgoo'' was invented.
It measured time as well as the 24 solar terms that highlight the East Asian calendar.
Though the sundial did measure time precisely‚ it had several drawbacks.
Lee Jongho‚ Scientist
''The sundial was easy to use because it could be placed anywhere. However‚ when it was cloudy‚ raining or snowing‚ the sundial did not work.''
As if to compensate for the sundial's shortfalls‚ Koreans invented other time-measuring devices like a water clock and sand glass.
To build a water clock‚ a vessel with a small hole was filled with water.
Time was counted by observing the change in water level.
The water clock also came into use during the Three Kingdoms era.
According to the ancient record Samguk Sagi‚ or ''Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms‚'' a type of water clock called 'nugak' was invented in the year 718.
Like the sundial‚ the water clock also was riddled with drawbacks.
Lee Jong Ho‚ Scientist
''Someone had to change the water twice a day and watch it all day to measure the time. The time was announced by the sound of a drum or gong. That made it quite inconvenient.''
Learning of this‚ the great King Sejong of the Joseon dynasty ordered his minions to invent a new and improved water clock.
In 1434‚ a scientist Jang Yeongsil invented a more advanced water clock.
It was called the ''Jagyeokru''.
It was improved on the previous one because it announced the time automatically.
Kwon Yeongcheol‚ Researcher
Seoul Museum of History
''As the water level rises‚ a buoy floats up as well. The buoy is connected to an automatic device that causes a metal bead to roll down. The movement of the rolling bead strikes the drum or gong‚ causing a sound that announces the time.''
In ancient times‚ one of the king's duties was to let his subjects know the time for work and for rest.
The Jageokru‚ which would announce the time without the aid of man‚ marked a key innovation of its era.
Cho Unseok‚ Visitor
''It is surprising to learn that our Korean ancestors invented such a scientific water clock. I am proud to learn this.''
In the present day as well as past‚ knowing the time has been essential to people's lives.
In that sense‚ the invention of the sundial which could identify the 24 solar calendar terms‚ and an automatic water clock form a vital chapter in the annals of Korea's scientific achievements. Reporter : sarah@arirang.co.kr

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