At an archeological dig in Germany, a highly unusual medieval pocket sundial was found.

According to a statement from Marburg University, students were digging a church site in the town when they discovered the sundial, which is approximately the size of a matchbox. The sundial is constructed of bronze and wood.

The old clock, which is thought to be from the late medieval era, is thought to have belonged to the Brethren of the Common Life, a monastic order that was founded in the Netherlands in the late 14th century. Eventually, the Brethren moved to the Netherlands, Germany, and Switzerland.

In the old monastery structure from 1527, which is situated in the upper part of Marburg, the brethren resided.

In the German state of Hesse, such a thing has never been discovered before.

It gives a "spotlight-like glimpse" into what individuals knew about astronomy and mathematics at the period, as well as their skill with tools, according to Professor Dr. Felix Teichner of the Department of History and Cultural Studies at the Philipps University of Marburg.

There aren't many of these sundials left, the professor told the regional news source Hessens Chau.

Ancient clocks called sundials tracked the sun's position throughout the day to determine the time. They are made up of a flat plate and a gnomon, which, when the sun shines, casts a shadow on the plate.

The length of the gnomon's shadow roughly revealed the height of the sun in the sky, indicating the time of day.

The world's oldest sundial, which dates back to 1500 BC, was created in Egypt.

When this specific sundial is opened, a hole that was intended to hold a stick for marking the sun's shadow is visible.