The Vindolanda Calendrical Clepsydra: Time-Keeping and Healing Waters

Abstract

An unusual copper-alloy fragment was recovered during excavations at Vindolanda in 2008. It has been identified as part of a calendar or water clock. A very similar fragment was found near Hambledon in Hampshire in 2017. Further investigation of the Vindolanda and Hambledon fragments and of similar objects from Frankfurt, Salzburg and Grand reveals that the Vindolanda and Hambledon fragments were once attached to clepsydrae to form time-keeping devices that are unattested in ancient sources, but that might be called ‘calendrical clepsydrae’.1 The links between similar artefacts and deities associated with water and healing are explored and evidence for a shrine located near sulphur springs in the Allen Valley is also discussed. The Vindolanda calendrical clepsydra is placed within this social and religious context.

Keeping time at Stonehenge

“…Salt and Boutsikas (2005) have argued that the primary purpose of early Greek calendars was to structure access to Apollo and to know when to consult the oracle or engage in healing rituals at Delphi. Similarly, Meyer (2019) has emphasised the relationship between finds of calendrical clepsydra (water clocks), springs and healing rituals in Roman Britain. Elsewhere, I have argued that the Bluestone elements at Stonehenge, imported to the site from west Wales, represent the power of the place and were intimately connected with healing rituals (Darvill 2007).…”