Recent research by astrophysicist Mathieu Ossendrijver, using ancient tablets at the British Museum, has found that from about 1800 BC the Babylonians used a “complex geometrical model that looks like a rudimentary form of integral calculus to calculate the path of Jupiter” (“Babylonians tracked Jupiter with fancy math,”Live Science, Jan. 28, 2016). The tablets analyzed by Ossendrijver date from about 1800 BC to 50 BC. The Babylonians developed “abstract mathematical, geometrical ideas about the connection between motion, position and time that are so common to any modern physicist or mathematician” (“Math whizzes of ancient Babylon figured out forerunner of calculus,” Science, Jan. 28, 2016). Alexander Jones of New York University says, “Such concepts have not been found earlier than in 14th century European texts on moving bodies. Their presence testifies to the revolutionary brilliance of the unknown Mesopotamian scholars who constructed Babylonian mathematical astronomy.” The path of Jupiter was important to the Babylonians, as their chief god Marduk was identified with this planet. “And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth” (Genesis 11:4). (Friday Church News Notes, February 5, 2016, www.wayoflife.org, [email protected], 866-295-4143) Comments are closed.
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