Nilometer

A nilometer (Arabic miqyas ) is an altimeter Nilwasserpegels or Nilflutstandes that was used in various types. With the simple design, it was a level scale, attached to distinctive Niluferstellen in conjunction of Nilflutmarken. There were nilometer as stairs that led down to the banks of the Nile. Be scaled marker boards, which allowed an accurate reading were on the walls of the lateral path limitation. Nilometer served primarily the prediction of the expected Nilhöhen and the Nile flood accompanying rites.

Later, open, connected via channels to the Nile bays were added at a level column in the middle. They served until the construction of the dam at Aswan for the annual measurement of Nilstands. From the height of the Nile flood not only the harvest of Egypt depended on; after Nilfluthöhe was also directed to the taxation of fields.

Egyptian nilometer were among other things, in Memphis, Dendera, Edfu, and by Hapi on the island of Elephantine. In the Nile Delta were no nilometer because of natural deposits of Nilschlamms. Due to the swampy ground, it is technically not possible to obtain a stable long-term Baufundament. Add to this the river bed shifts, which also argue against a location in the Nile Delta.