Ancient Computers
in [Math]
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From: Steve Stephenson on 20 Jul 2010 04:01 Recently posted on the IEEE Global History Network: http://www.ieeeghn.org/wiki/index.php/Ancient_Computers From extant artifacts it (re)discovers the structure and methods of use of the abaci used by the Romans and peoples before them back to Mesopotamia, and tests the methods by solving perplexing math problems in antiquity (e.g., YBC 7289). The abaci methods using pebbles and The Salamis Tablet are blindingly fast compared to any other methods available to the ancients. This demonstrated fact is contrary to long held views of many historians that abaci use was cumbersome and slow. An historical analysis of modern civilizations that did not include the impact of high speed computers would be seriously biased and flawed. So to, any historical analysis of ancient civilizations that does not include the impact of their computers is seriously biased and flawed.
From: Dave L. Renfro on 20 Jul 2010 09:46
Steve Stephenson wrote (in part): > The abaci methods using pebbles and The Salamis Tablet are > blindingly fast compared to any other methods available to > the ancients. This demonstrated fact is contrary to long > held views of many historians that abaci use was cumbersome > and slow. I don't read much about ancient mathematics (my main focus has been from roughly the late 1700s to the present), but my impression has been that historians regarded abaci use as being quite fast. All my math history books are at home, and I'm not, so I can't check this now (and I don't have time now to usefully search the google digitized book's archive). Dave L. Renfro |