Cultures of Computation and Quantification in the Ancient World: Numbers, Measurements, and Operations in Documents from Mesopotamia, China and South Asia

This book explores the mathematical cultures of the ancient world, focusing on computation and quantification in China, South Asia, and the Ancient Near East. It offers case studies of numbers, quantities, and operations, highlighting the processes of emergence of place-value number systems. The book provides primary sources and methodological tools for teaching and learning, aimed at historians, philosophers of science and mathematics, historians of the ancient worlds, economists, sinologists, indologists, assyriologists, and undergraduate and graduate students.

Format: Hardback
Length: 765 pages
Publication date: 02 January 2023
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This comprehensive book delves into the rich tapestry of mathematical cultures across time and geography. By focusing on the cultures of computation and quantification in ancient civilizations such as China, South Asia, and the Ancient Near East, it provides a comprehensive exploration of the numerical and quantitative practices of these societies. Through detailed case studies, the book examines the relationship between mathematics, administrative and economic activities, and sheds light on the processes and systems that shaped numbers and quantities.

The book's chapters explore diverse approaches to shaping numbers and quantities, highlighting the cultural and historical contexts in which these practices emerged. It emphasizes the development of place-value number systems, a crucial milestone in mathematical evolution, and traces its emergence in the three geographical areas under study. This nuanced approach offers valuable insights into the diversity of computation practices within different civilizations.

In addition to its scholarly value, the book includes editions and translations of ancient texts, providing primary sources for historians and scholars of mathematics, history, and related disciplines. It also includes maps and conventions for editions of ancient texts, making it an invaluable resource for teaching and learning.

The target audience of this volume includes historians and philosophers of science and mathematics, historians of the ancient worlds, historians of economics, sinologists, indologists, assyriologists, as well as undergraduate, graduate students, and teachers in mathematics, the history and philosophy of science and mathematics, and in the history of ancient worlds. By unraveling the complexities of mathematical cultures, this book contributes to a deeper understanding of the evolution of mathematics and its impact on human societies throughout history.

Weight: 1322g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030983604
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022