Around 5,000 years ago, the Sumerians, residing in ancient Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq), revolutionized our understanding and measurement of time. They developed a sophisticated numerical system based on the number 60, known as the sexagesimal system. This unique system led to the division of an hour into 60 minutes and a minute into 60 seconds, concepts that remain in use today.
The Sumerians’ need for precise timekeeping was driven by their agricultural society. Accurate calendars were essential for planting and harvesting crops. Furthermore, they needed to coordinate their complex religious ceremonies and administrative activities. These necessities propelled the Sumerians to make significant advances in astronomy to help them keep time. They meticulously observed the movements of celestial bodies and used this information to create a 12-month lunar calendar closely aligned with the agricultural seasons.
Dividing the day into 24 hours, each hour into 60 minutes, and each minute into 60 seconds was a tremendous achievement. These divisions were not arbitrary but were designed to be practical and easily divisible, reflecting the Sumerians’ advanced understanding of mathematics. The sexagesimal system, with its base of 60, allowed for many convenient fractions, such as halves, thirds, and quarters, making it highly functional for various calculations.
The innovative approach to timekeeping developed by the Sumerians had a profound influence on subsequent civilizations, including the Babylonians, Greeks, and Romans. These later cultures adopted and further refined the Sumerian system, integrating it into their own societies. The legacy of the Sumerians’ timekeeping system is evident in our modern clocks and calendars, demonstrating the enduring impact of their ingenuity on our daily lives.
Today, we still rely on the divisions of time first conceptualized by the Sumerians. Every time we check our watches, schedule our days, or celebrate the passing of the year, we are tapping into a system devised millennia ago. The Sumerians’ contributions to the measurement of time highlight their role as one of the pioneering civilizations in human history, whose innovations continue to shape our world.
