HPS210H1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Dream Interpretation, Shang Dynasty, Chinese Astrology
7 Sep 2016
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Found near the boarder between congo and uganda. ~20,000 years old, possibly much older (90,000 years) Scratches come in groups of 60 (possibly linked to lunar calendar) Some evidence to suggest a base of 12 counting. Presence of people from across a huge area (polynesian triangle) suggests early astronomy. Before 1000 bce, the polynesian triangle bad been colonized by people. Little to no evidence of their culture pre-contact: we know the skies held religious significance. In the fertile crescent and in south-america, cities developed independently. Development of professionally smart people and rich have a history together: elaborate mythologies, scholars are necessary to admin cities, taxes, workers. The gobekli tepe (modern turkey, ancient fertile crescent) Shortly after development of cities, is the first evidence of mesopotamian math & writing. First these physical concrete rep of numbers, the counting token existed. Tokens would be collected in little clay pouches. To remember how many tokens were they had, they pressed them into clay.
