Tidsräkning

Tidsräkning, often translated as reckoning of time or chronology, refers to the systematic measurement and division of time. This encompasses the development of calendars, clocks, and other devices used to mark the passage of hours, days, months, and years. Historically, tidsräkning has been deeply intertwined with astronomical observations, such as the cycles of the sun, moon, and stars. Early civilizations developed complex systems to track celestial movements, which were crucial for agriculture, religious practices, and social organization.

The concept of tidsräkning also includes the establishment of standardized units of time. The division of a day into 24 hours, an hour into 60 minutes, and a minute into 60 seconds is a widely adopted convention, originating from ancient Babylonian mathematics. Calendrical systems, such as the Gregorian calendar, are designed to align with the Earth's orbit around the sun, ensuring that seasons occur at predictable times. Variations in tidsräkning exist across different cultures and historical periods, reflecting diverse needs and cosmologies. Understanding tidsräkning is fundamental to historical study, scientific research, and the coordination of daily life.