Babylonian Mathematics and the Sexagesimal Tradition (c. 2000–300 BCE)

1. Sexagesimal place-value notation takes shape

   Jan 1, 2000 BCELabels: Sexagesimal notation, Ur III

   • Melville Chronology
   • Springer Proust

2. Old Babylonian school mathematics flourishes

   Jan 1, 2000 BCELabels: Old Babylonian, Scribal schools

   • Melville Chronology
   • Springer Proust

3. Reciprocal tables support division by multiplication

   Jan 1, 1900 BCELabels: Reciprocal tables

   • Melville Chronology
   • Springer Proust

4. Plimpton 322 compiled at Larsa

   Jan 1, 1820 BCELabels: Plimpton 322, Larsa

   • Columbia Exhibits
   • Plimpton 322 Columbia

5. Right-triangle number relations tabulated on Plimpton 322

   Jan 1, 1800 BCELabels: Plimpton 322

   • Plimpton 322 Wiki
   • Plimpton 322 Columbia

6. Square-root approximation on YBC 7289

   Jan 1, 1800 BCELabels: YBC 7289

   • YBC 7289 Wiki
   • CDLI YBC 7289

7. Old Babylonian problem texts include Pythagorean-type tasks

   Jan 1, 1750 BCELabels: Old Babylonian, Problem texts

   • BM 85196
   • Plimpton 322 Wiki

8. Sexagesimal notation persists without a full zero digit

   Jan 1, 1600 BCELabels: Sexagesimal notation

   • Sexagesimal Wiki
   • Springer Proust

9. Cuneiform mathematical practice continues into first millennium BCE

   Jan 1, 1000 BCELabels: Cuneiform mathematics

   • Melville Chronology
   • Springer Proust

10. System A planetary ephemerides computed for 424–401 BCE

    Jan 1, 424 BCELabels: System A, Planetary ephemerides

    • Naburimannu Wiki
    • Springer Mercury

11. System A ephemerides in Hellenistic era (c. 310–290 BCE)

    Jan 1, 310 BCELabels: System A, Hellenistic era

    • Springer Mercury
    • Melville Chronology

12. Oldest preserved lunar tablets date to 306 BCE

    Jan 1, 306 BCELabels: Lunar tablets

    • Naburimannu Wiki
    • Melville Chronology