Season 2, Witness of the Times – Episode: 5: Timekeepers of Civilization: How the Babylonians Made History Possible

In this episode of Witness of The Times, Dr. Bruce Baker picks up where he left off in Episode 4—exploring the origins of history itself. If writing gave us a way to record our past, it was the Babylonians who gave us the tools to measure when those events occurred. In this fascinating installment, we journey through the development of ancient timekeeping—from shadow clocks and water clocks to the Babylonians’ creation of the sexagesimal system, still used today to measure hours, minutes, and seconds. Dr. Baker explains how their astronomical observations and mathematical ingenuity turned time into a quantifiable—and highly valuable—commodity. From lunar cycles to political calendar tweaks (like why February is so short), this episode uncovers the innovations that made true history possible Connect with Us: If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate and review Witness of The Times on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. Every positive review helps new listeners find the show. We also want to hear from you! Send us your questions about the stories we profile. You can email us at [email protected]. You can find us on Facebook at Witness of the Times. Credits: Executive Producers: Marc Veazey and Dr. Bruce Baker Music: Jorgen Hallberg Hosts: Marc Veazey and Dr. Bruce Baker Thank you for joining us on this incredible journey through history with Witness of The Times. We can't wait to share more enthralling stories with you in upcoming episodes.