The number 12 was hugely important to the people of Ancient Egypt. As well as counting in 12s, they used it to mark the passing of time.
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The earliest-known Egyptian sundials, made 3,500 years ago, divided the day into 12 parts. During the day, the shadow cast by a rod passed over 12 segments in turn, measuring out each hour.
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Egyptian astronomers observed that the Moon had 12 cycles a year. They also noted 12 stars that rose at regular intervals during the night at certain times of the year. They led them to divide the night into 12 parts. They made waterclocks with 12 waterlevel marks to show the passing of time by night or day. As water dripped out of a container, it passed a new mark each hour.
The 24-hour clock you use today comes directly from the Egyptian system of splitting night and day into 2 sets of 12 hours.
