General Mathematics

    

The Knotted Cords and the Origins of the Sexagesimal System

Authors: Jaime Vladimir Torres-Heredia Julca

This paper presents an explanation of the origins of the sexagesimal system linked to theuse of a knotted cord 12 lengths long closed to form a loop. This device can suggest a groupingof elements by 60. We will see that this device has also important geometrical properties linkedto the division of the circle in 360 equal parts. Historical and cultural arguments will also begiven to support this thesis. We will see how the grouping of the Old Mesopotamian unitsof measurement of capacity, weight, mass and time confirm this thesis. We will see also howimportant groupings of the Old Mesopotamian units of measurement of length and area use thenumber 12 which is also suggested by this device.

Comments: 7 Pages. 5 figures

Download: PDF

Submission history

[v1] 2025-07-31 19:58:08
[v2] 2025-09-27 21:30:23

Unique-IP document downloads: 397 times

Vixra.org is a pre-print repository rather than a journal. Articles hosted may not yet have been verified by peer-review and should be treated as preliminary. In particular, anything that appears to include financial or legal advice or proposed medical treatments should be treated with due caution. Vixra.org will not be responsible for any consequences of actions that result from any form of use of any documents on this website.

Add your own feedback and questions here:
You are equally welcome to be positive or negative about any paper but please be polite. If you are being critical you must mention at least one specific error, otherwise your comment will be deleted as unhelpful.

comments powered by Disqus