How Did People Keep Time Before Clocks?

People used sunlight, stars, and even fire to know when it was time to sleep, eat, or play.

During the day, people watched the sun move across the sky. When it was high up, that meant it was noon, like the middle of a storybook. When it went down behind the hills, it was time for bed. Some clever people even made shadow clocks, which used sticks and shadows to tell the time.

When the sun went to sleep, the stars woke up. People looked at the sky and saw patterns in the stars, like a big, magical puzzle. They knew when it was time for stories or dancing by watching how the stars changed from night to night.

Sometimes, people used fires that burned all night long. When the fire went out, they knew it was morning again. It was like having a sleepy friend who told them when to wake up! People used sunlight, stars, and even fire to know when it was time to sleep, eat, or play.

During the day, people watched the sun move across the sky. When it was high up, that meant it was noon, like the middle of a storybook. When it went down behind the hills, it was time for bed. Some clever people even made shadow clocks, which used sticks and shadows to tell the time.

When the sun went to sleep, the stars woke up. People looked at the sky and saw patterns in the stars, like a big, magical puzzle. They knew when it was time for stories or dancing by watching how the stars changed from night to night.

Sometimes, people used fires that burned all night long. When the fire went out, they knew it was morning again. It was like having a sleepy friend who told them when to wake up!