A monumental discovery in the field of archaeology and mathematics has been made at a tomb site in Central China’s Hubei Province. Researchers have unearthed bamboo slips from the Warring States period (475BC-221BC), containing the earliest known multiplication formulas, as announced by China’s National Cultural Heritage Administration. This finding pushes back the history of these mathematical formulas by nearly a century.
Significant Discovery at the Qinjiazui Site
The bamboo slips were found in the M1093 tomb at the Qinjiazui site in Jingzhou city, a significant archaeological location due to its vast number of bamboo slips from the Chu state during the Warring States Period. The tomb also holds the record for the most extensive amount of texts found in an individual’s tomb, making it a notable discovery both in Hubei Province and nationally.
As of now, 3,910 slips have been cataloged, and experts estimate that an additional 1,200 to 1,500 slips, containing around 30,000 characters, will be assembled. Among these, the multiplication table Jiujiushu stands out as the earliest physical record of its kind, offering unprecedented insights into the mathematical knowledge of the era.
Diverse Contents Unveiled
The bamboo slips from the tomb reveal a wide array of subjects, including mathematics, medicine, animal husbandry, literature, and more. This breadth of content provides invaluable new materials for studying the history, culture, and thought of the pre-Qin period. Archaeologists plan to undertake various tasks, such as infrared scanning, interpretation, assembly, research, dehydration protection, and exhibition of these artifacts.
Further Archaeological Developments
Another site of interest is the Xiazhan site in Baoji city, Shaanxi Province, identified as a major national sacrificial site from the Qin and Han periods (221BC-AD220). Over 1,409 sacrificial pits have been discovered, containing artifacts from the Warring States Period to the Western Han period. The site offers a comprehensive timeline for national sacrificial remains and details of sacrificial rituals during these dynasties.
Additionally, the Beicheng Village Cemetery in Shaanxi Province’s Xixian New Area, dating from the Sixteen Kingdoms period to the Sui and Tang periods, is the largest independent cemetery discovered to date. Its orderly layout and extended use period illustrate the integration of minority ethnic groups with Han culture.
In Chenzhou city, Hunan Province, nearly 10,000 bamboo slips from the Wu state of the Three Kingdoms period have been found, covering administrative divisions, taxation, household registration, farming, and mining. These discoveries provide crucial information for studying ancient governance and development in China’s southern mountainous region.
This series of archaeological findings not only enriches our understanding of ancient Chinese civilization but also highlights the sophistication and depth of knowledge in various fields during these historical periods.
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