Sumer’s Number 60: Timekeeping’s Ancient Roots

About 5,000 years ago, the Sumerians, who lived in ancient Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq), revolutionized our perception 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 are still used today.

The Sumerians’ need to keep accurate track of time was driven by their agricultural society. Accurate calendars were essential for planting and harvesting crops. They also needed to coordinate their complex religious ceremonies and administrative activities.

To aid in their timekeeping, the Sumerians made significant advances in astronomy. They observed the movements of celestial bodies and used this knowledge to create a 12-month lunar calendar, which closely aligned with the agricultural seasons.

The division of the day into 24 hours, each hour into 60 minutes, and each minute into 60 seconds was a monumental achievement. These divisions were not arbitrary, but were designed to be practical and easily divisible, reflecting the Sumerians’ advanced mathematical understanding.

This innovative approach to time had a profound impact on later civilizations, including the Babylonians, Greeks, and Romans, who adopted and further developed the Sumerian system. The legacy of the Sumerian timekeeping system is evident in our modern clocks and calendars, demonstrating the enduring influence of their ingenuity on our daily lives.