The Making of a Scribe

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.

Introduces new methodological tools to explore economic texts for mathematical practice Shows the importance mathematics has as a tool for ancient practitioners to cope with complex economic processes Presents historians of mathematics a method to study practical texts

Résumé
"Middeke-Conlin's study greatly expands our understanding of the interplay between theoretical `school' mathematics and the actual practices of numerate scribes going about their daily business, at least in Old Babylonian Larsa. It is to be hoped that future scholars will take this careful and detailed methodology as a model for probing practices in other times and places." (Duncan J. Melville, Mathematical Reviews, Issue (6), March, 2024)

Contenu
Chapter 1.Introduction.- Chapter 2. The early scribal education.- Chapter 3. Text types and archival practices in the kingdom of Larsa.- Chapter 4. Archives, bureaus and management systems of the kingdom of Larsa.- Chapter 5. Metrology and sexagesimal place value notation in economic texts.- Chapter 6. Errors, mistakes and evidence for a counting device.- Chapter 7. Observation and the limits of numeracy. Chapter 8. Multiplication and estimation.- Chapter 9. Rounding in mathematical and economic texts.- Chapter 10. Conclusion: On errors, rounding and education in the kingdom of Larsa.