Belgian scientists have announced that they have decoded the engravings on the Ishango bone, discovered by a Belgian geologist in Africa half a century ago. This discovery suggests that the cradle of mathematics for humankind is located in Africa.
The Ishango bone, also known as the Ishango stick, dates back nearly 23,000 years. It represents the oldest evidence of mathematical application in human history. This 10.2 cm long bone belongs to an undetermined animal species and has a piece of quartz attached to one end.
The numerous engravings on the bone are organized into groups across three columns. Over the years, scientists have invested significant time in studying the meanings of these engravings. The Ishango bone is currently displayed at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences in Brussels, Belgium.
The Belgian archaeologist Jean de Heinzelin de Braucourt discovered this bone in 1950 along the shores of Lake Édouard in the Ishango region of the Belgian Congo, now known as the Democratic Republic of Congo, near Uganda.
Ishango Bone (Photo: Research.att.com)
Previously, some speculated whether the engravings represented a lunar calendar, a numerical game, or an abacus. However, recent research tends to support the last hypothesis, thanks to the discovery of a second piece of bone also found in Ishango.
Both pieces of bone are mathematical artifacts from a group of people who did not use a decimal system like modern humans, but instead relied on a base of 6 and 10. Scientists agree that this represents a typical counting method in Africa.
Jean de Heinzelin was the first to view this object as a fascinating conjecture regarding the history of mathematics. He likened it to a numerical game and proposed a hypothetical order for the different columns of symbols. The first column is labeled ‘a’, the second ‘b’, and the third ‘c’, presenting a more convincing argument than previous hypotheses.
The discoverer of this significant find believes that column ‘a’ corresponds to a basic counting system of 10, as the engravings are grouped similarly to the series 10 + 1, 10 – 1, while column ‘c’ aligns with a base counting system of 20 according to the series 20 + 1, 20 – 1. He also acknowledges that column ‘b’ lists the first odd numbers between 10 and 20, which are 11, 13, 17, and 19. Finally, column ‘c’ seems to illustrate the multiplication and division method with 2, a technique that closely resembles the multiplication used by Egyptians: 3 x 2 = 6 and 4 x 2 = 8.
The numbers in the two outer columns, left (a) and right (c), are all odd (a: 9, 11, 13; c: 17, 19, and 21). The sum of the numbers in these two columns equals 60, while the numbers in the middle column (b) add up to 48. Both results are multiples of 12, indicating a combination of multiplication and division. Column ‘b’ appears to illustrate the method of multiplication and division by 2, which was used in the closest historical context, particularly in Egyptian multiplication: 3 x 2 = 6 and 4 x 2 = 8.
Scientific Explanation (Photo: naturalsciences)
A decade after the discovery of the bone, journalist and scientist Alexander Marshack also discovered that the total of all numbers in columns ‘a’ and ‘b’ is 60, while in column ‘c’ it is 48.
The mathematical symbols of the Ishango bone provide insight into the cognitive development and intellectual capabilities of early humans. The ability to engage in abstract mathematical thinking, such as recognizing prime numbers, demonstrates a level of cognitive complexity that goes beyond basic survival instincts. This challenges the traditional view of primitive humans as purely practical beings and suggests they possessed cognitive abilities for more complex thought processes.
The Ishango bone is a significant archaeological discovery in the study of the origins of mathematics. It pushes back the timeline connecting humanity to mathematical concepts and indicates that mathematical thinking has deep historical roots. By illuminating the mathematical capabilities of ancient civilizations, the Ishango bone helps researchers understand the evolutionary trajectory of mathematical thought and the cultural context in which it developed.
The engravings on the Ishango bone demonstrate precision and intentional skill.
The mathematical symbols of the Ishango bone may have cultural and symbolic significance for the community that created it. It may have been used in religious or ceremonial activities, as a calendar to track important celestial events, or as a symbol of knowledge and power within the community. The craftsmanship and mathematical inscriptions on the bone may have granted it a special status, making it a revered and respected object within its cultural context.
As an invaluable archaeological discovery, the Ishango bone remains a focal point of research, enriching our understanding of the origins and development of mathematics in human civilization.
