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.

Contenu

Forward and Acknowledgments.- Part I. Introduction to the Texts.- Introduction.- Chapter 1. Text Types and Archival Practices.- Chapter 2. Bureaus and Management Systems.- Part II. Mathematical and Numerical Introduction.- Chapter 3. The Early Scribal Education.- Appendix A. Metrological and Numerical List and Table Catalogue.- Chapter 4. Metrology and SPVN in Economic Texts.- Appendix B. Price and Wage Index and Charts.- Part III. Discrepancies and Observations.- Chapter 5. Errors, Mistakes, and Evidence for a Counting Device.- Chapter 6. Observation and the Limits of Numeracy.- Chapter 7. Methods to Assess Value.- Part IV. Multiplication and Value Estimation.- Chapter 8. Multiplication and Revenue.- Chapter 9. Equivalencies.- Chapter 10. Estimation, Observation, and Labor.- Part V. Rounding in the Scribal Tradition.- Chapter 11. Rounding in the Mathematical Economic Texts.- Conclusion: On Mistakes, Error, and Rounding Numbers.- Appendix C. Discrepancy Index.