TY - BOOK

T1 - The Making of a Scribe

T2 - Errors, mistakes, and rounding numbers in the Old Babylonian kingdom of Larsa

AU - Middeke-Conlin, Robert William

N1 - Appendixes present tablet editions (appendix 1), a study of numeracy by scribe (appendix 2), index of metrological and numerical tables (appendix 3), index of prices and wages (appendix 4), and an index of discrepancies found in the text (appendix 5). Indexes include an Akkadian and Sumerian word and then name index as well as text indexes and a final subject index. They are completely open access.

PY - 2020

Y1 - 2020

N2 - This book presents a novel methodology to study economic texts. The author investigates discrepancies in these writings by focusing on errors, mistakes, and rounding numbers. In particular, he looks at the acquisition, use, and development of practical mathematics in an ancient society: The Old Babylonian kingdom of Larsa (beginning of the second millennium BCE Southern Iraq). In so doing, coverage bridges a gap between the sciences and humanities.Through this work, the reader will gain insight into discrepancies encountered in economic texts in general and rounding numbers in particular. They will learn a new framework to explain error as a form of economic practice. Researchers and students will also become aware of the numerical and metrological basis for calculation in these writings and how the scribes themselves conceptualized value.This work fills a void in Assyriological studies. It provides a methodology to explore, understand, and exploit statistical data. The anlaysis also fills a void in the history of mathematics by presenting historians of mathematics a method to study practical texts. In addition, the author shows the importance mathematics has as a tool for ancient practitioners to cope with complex economic processes. This serves as a useful case study for modern policy makers into the importance of education in any economy.

AB - This book presents a novel methodology to study economic texts. The author investigates discrepancies in these writings by focusing on errors, mistakes, and rounding numbers. In particular, he looks at the acquisition, use, and development of practical mathematics in an ancient society: The Old Babylonian kingdom of Larsa (beginning of the second millennium BCE Southern Iraq). In so doing, coverage bridges a gap between the sciences and humanities.Through this work, the reader will gain insight into discrepancies encountered in economic texts in general and rounding numbers in particular. They will learn a new framework to explain error as a form of economic practice. Researchers and students will also become aware of the numerical and metrological basis for calculation in these writings and how the scribes themselves conceptualized value.This work fills a void in Assyriological studies. It provides a methodology to explore, understand, and exploit statistical data. The anlaysis also fills a void in the history of mathematics by presenting historians of mathematics a method to study practical texts. In addition, the author shows the importance mathematics has as a tool for ancient practitioners to cope with complex economic processes. This serves as a useful case study for modern policy makers into the importance of education in any economy.

U2 - 10.1007%2F978-3-030-35951-5

DO - 10.1007%2F978-3-030-35951-5

M3 - Book

SN - 978-3-030-35950-8

SN - 978-3-030-35953-9

T3 - Why the Sciences of the Ancient World Matter

BT - The Making of a Scribe

PB - Springer

CY - Cham

ER -