Ancient 'nilometer' discovered in Egypt

[UM-Bot]

Archaeologists have unearthed a rare structure used by the ancient Egyptians to predict their harvests.

Found within the ruins of the ancient city of Thmuis, the structure, which dates back to the third century BC, worked by calculating the water level of the River Nile during its annual flooding.

Read More: http://www.unexplained-mysteries.com/news/294706/ancient-nilometer-discovered-in-egypt

[ChrLzs]

Interesting. I'm a little puzzled how they know the critical level (seven cubits or 3.04m, apparently..) and yet they *don't* know if what was being measured was the water table or the river's actual level... I would have thought if it was the river level, you would just get someone to walk to the river each day and well, measure it. The water table would be a better indicator for longer term forecasting.. ?