Bahrain Science Centre, a part of Ministry of Social Development is currently showcasing a scale model replica of one of the most famous inventions from the Golden Age of Islamic Science, the Al-Jazari’s ‘Elephant Water Clock’, manufactured by MTE Studios in the foyer area of the centre. The exhibit has proven to be of great interest to the general public who gather around it, read the labels while students learn more about it using educational activity sheets.

Al-Jazari invented the ‘Elephant Water Clock’ for several reasons. It was mainly to tell the time and to showcase the advanced state of Islamic engineering but also to celebrate the universality of Islam in the 12th century.  The Clock includes an elephant from India, an Egyptian phoenix, Persian carpets, Indian water technology, Arabian architecture and Chinese serpents.

Visitors will learn how the clock was used to tell the time to the half hour using an elaborate ball run system that is powered by a perforated bowl technique first devised by the Greeks and then perfected later in India.

Al-Jazari’s clock is one of the most amazing automated machines invented during the middle Ages. Don’t miss this opportunity to see it as the exhibit will only remain there until the last week of January.