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PlanetLandon t1_jabiddd wrote

Reply to comment by Successful_Box_1007 in Eli5: How did people know how long a year was in olden times? by Slokkkk

It doesn’t really take anything special. If you have eyes and something to write with you can keep track of where the sun rises every day.

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Successful_Box_1007 t1_jabk5wa wrote

True but isn’ the variation super small all things being equal (including time of day you measure)? With their rudimentary tools it must have been tough.

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TheSkiGeek t1_jabknby wrote

Yeah, but you only need to get close. It’s okay if you’re off by a day or two if all you’re using it for is to decide when to plant and harvest crops.

If you’re staying in one place for a while you can set up more permanent solutions. Structures like Stonehenge have notches and openings that line up with the sun position in different seasons, so you can tell exactly which day is the solstice or equinox (or whatever days are important to you).

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p_m_a_t_t t1_jabkoi0 wrote

Just because a tool is 'rudimentary' doesn't mean it doesn't work!

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