"The Elephant Clock", Folio from a Book of the Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices by al-Jazari 1290 - 1340

This folio, “The Elephant Clock,” is part of the *Book of the Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices* created by the Islamic scholar and inventor al-Jazari between 1206 and 1232. This illustrated manuscript was copied in the 13th or 14th century. The clock is driven by a water wheel and features a complex system of gears and levers that allow it to tell the time. The illustration shows an elephant carrying a tower with a bird perched on top, which rotates and points to the time. It is a prime example of the Islamic Golden Age’s rich contributions to science and engineering.