priests were in charge of making sure that temple rituals were performed on time during the day, nightly and throughout the year. During the day these priests observed the sun's progress. During the evening and night a water clock was used. As the evening fell, the clock was filled with water. During the night, the water dripped out a hole in the bottom. Water levels were checked against markers during the night. To simplify: When the water dropped from one mark to the next, it meant that an hour had passed. An 'hour watcher' priest was alternatively called 'sem-wnwty' (sem meaning 'blessed' and a priestly title) and 'saw-mnwty' indicating the role of the priestly astrologers. Keepers of Time watched the nightly movement of the stars. They were required to memorise the order of the fixed stars, movements of the planets and moon, as well as their setting times, plus the order of various heavenly bodies. Keepers recited this information in counsel to provide detailed information on changes taking place in the night sky in any season. All this was largely prompted by the demands of agriculture, given that rich harvests and bountiful seasons depended on the accurate readings given by the priests. For instance, the rising of Sirius the Dog-Star indicated the coming inundation of the river and the determining time for festivals.

Hour priests were also called 'ami-unnuit' meaning that they served 'by the hour.' The word also loosely translates as 'guard' in which temple guards hours were regulated by means of a time-table and becomes 'ami-bah-unnuit, lit: he who is in front.' Presumably in front of the temple. Hour gods were numerous and had numerous consorts, each requiring offerings and libations during their appointed hour. An example of this is in the Urshui, who were 3 hour gods and one of the 75 forms of Ra, just to confuse the issue. As for the medjay, their lives too were regulated by 'hour-watchers' but to a lesser degree; 'time-tables' not being a recent invention.... 'Hour watchers' were also inevidence throughout the town and cities, essentially employed by temples to call out the time to the populous... who naturally had places to go, things to do and appointments to keep. Indeed... just like me! *S*