Museums
Museums and historical sites in the city and the Emirate of Sharjah
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Model based on a description in The Book of Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices (1206) by al-Jazari (1136–1206).
Hidden inside the elephant is a water powered mechanism which causes the figurine of the mahout (elephant driver) to move its whip and strike the drum. Moreover, it makes the bird on the top rotate and the two other birds drop metall ball from their beaks in the gaping mouths of the two dragons. The weight causes the latter to decline slowly and ultimately drop the balls in two deep bowls from there further down. This activity marks the passing of a half hour.
© Photo: Haupt & Binder
Museums and historical sites in the city and the Emirate of Sharjah