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The earliest and simplest form of a sundial was called a gnomon. It was simply a stick that was stuck in the ground. Early people would thrust a stick, cut to a standard size (usually about the length of the forearm) in the ground and then measure the shadow length, usually hand-widths. They knew how many hand-widths corresponded to local noon for their area, so they could predict how much of the day was left before sunset. This was critical information, as life got very dangerous after dark, and it was important that travelers find a safe place to rest well before nightfall.
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