**Ancient Mathematics: Pioneers in Today's Foundations of Science** The power of the mathematical language is the key to the tuning of the universe and got solidified about a thousand years ago. This language, quite clear and simple in ancient history (especially from the local people of near-helpless Mesopotamia), on application, assumed real forms in the process of cognizing reality—copper and architecture with astronomy and engineering, and now, after all these ages, shows itself to have one small influence upon the living sciences. **Mathematics from the Cradle of the Ancient Near East: Mesopotamia** This first extant record of mathematics found anywhere shows its traces of development in the land of Mesopotamia (Iraq today) around 3000 BCE. The Sumerians and Babylonians conceived of a base-60 numeral system. Just what they had begun there that helped discover and experiment with this invention of telling time and space remains a matter of primarily advanced mathematical geniu...
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Ancient Astronomy: The Celestial Wisdom of the Past From before the first day on the earth, humanity looked up as well as gazed at the sky above with wonder. Long before telescopes existed and modern scientific theories embraced the skies; ancient cultures-the very first and finest of all-witnessed in celestial movements, observing them and developing highly refined and sophisticated astronomical knowledge for calendars, religions, and altogether daily life. This post discusses the gloriously astronomical advances of some of the most eminent ancient civilizations. 1. Mesopotamian Astronomy: The First Stargazers They are often acknowledged as the very first people to develop astronomy. They were very careful in recording the movements of the Sun, Moon, and planets through time, during which movement they created one of the earliest known star catalogs. They recorded most observed events, such as lunar eclipse and planetary motions, by mathematical models developed from...