Did Babylonians Discover Trigonometry 1000 Years Before the Greek?
The dominant archeological perspective gives us a good baseline as to what our ancient ancestors knew, but every so often a discovery comes along that challenges those theories. We can thank the late, great journalist George Plimpton for one artifact that has recently challenged that narrative, potentially setting back the history of mathematics and casting a new light on the ever-intriguing culture of the ancient Babylonians. That artifact known as Plimpton 322, is a cuneiform tablet that was purchased almost a century ago from the real-life Indiana Jones, and could potentially prove that the ancient Babylonians were the first civilization to understand trigonometry.
Cuneiform Tablets
Pythagoras is thought to have been the first to understand that the area of the square of the hypotenuse of a right-angled triangle is equal to the sum of the areas of the squares of its other two sides, a.k.a. the Pythagorean theorem. But it’s not necessarily well-documented that Pythagoras actually conceptualized this equation, nor are any other of his mathematical achievements.
Pythagoras ran a school that was shrouded in mystery and secrecy, with a kabbalistic take on math and numbers. Some believe it is possible that his students may have been responsible for his supposed achievements in mathematics but, due to either reverence or fear, gave credit to Pythagoras. Interpretations and documentation from the time are scarce, as knowledge was typically spread by word of mouth. At the same time, Pythagoras’ school was almost cult-like with stories of members being murdered for not maintaining the school’s secrecy and learnings.
The ancient Babylonians, on the other hand, used cuneiform tablets to record much of their intellectual work, with thousands of tablets having been recovered to this day. Many of them were excavated in the early 1900s and sold to museums or collectors, but some of the implications of their carvings are challenging what archeologists have believed about ancient history. One of these tablets was purchased by George Plimpton for a mere $10 in 1922 and has been the center of heated debate between archeologists. The new theory pairs the findings from Plimpton 322 with another tablet, known as YBC 7289, and posits that Babylonian mathematics included trigonometry, predating the Greek by 1,000 years. These ancient Babylonians used a base-60 system of mathematics rather than the base-10 system that we use today.
Plimpton 322 – wikipedia.com
While we have all assumed Pythagoras to be the first to postulate his eponymous theorem, Hipparchus is generally thought to be the Greek father of trigonometry and the first to produce a trigonometric table, known as the table of chords. Hipparchus’ work required a knowledge of trigonometry for measuring astronomical distances, but much of the basis for his work came from Babylonian mathematics using the base-60 system. Also, few details are known specifically about his life, despite being credited with the discovery of a large field of mathematics.
The base-60 system allowed the Babylonians to make trigonometric calculations in terms of ratios rather than angles. What is so fascinating about this discovery is that it brings a subjective interpretation to mathematics, which may seem counterintuitive. But the ancient Babylonian system of trigonometry shows that they were capable of achieving similar results using a different mathematical perspective. Part of their base-60, or sexagesimal system, is even retained today in certain elements of our lives like the number of seconds in a minute, the number of minutes in an hour, and the number of degrees in a circle.
Cuneiform Translations
Plimpton 322 was dated between 1822-1762 BC, around the rule of King Hammurabi, and contains a reference chart with four columns and 15 rows, laying out a table of ratios of right-angled triangles. These triangles range in proportion from nearly a square to a near flat line. The table is thought to have been used for construction purposes and could provide insight as to how the ancient Babylonians were such skilled architects and engineers. The ziggurats, hanging gardens and novel urban planning of the ancient culture are signs of a mathematically adept civilization, so it should be unsurprising that they could have been the first to develop trigonometry.
Cuneiform is the oldest written language in the world, created by ancient Mesopotamian civilizations using wet clay that was etched into and then baked in the sun or ovens. Written in either Akkadian or Sumerian, the majority of these tablets were excavated by Edgar J. Banks who was an archeologist and antiquities dealer, also thought to be the archetype for the character of Indiana Jones. Banks is thought to have uncovered and sold thousands of cuneiform tablets toward the end of the Ottoman Empire. The one sold to Plimpton however, has been one of the most controversial, regarding its implications on the history of trigonometry, while thousands of other tablets remain in private collections and museums that could shed further light on the subject.
Plimpton 322 was excavated in what would have been the ancient city of Larsa and was originally thought to be a scribe’s tally sheet or inventory report for transactions at a marketplace. If the cuneiform translations of Plimpton 322 as a trigonometric table are true however, they would not only change the study’s provenance, but also be considered the world’s oldest completely accurate trigonometric table. If this is true it would add yet another layer of profound sophistication to an already oddly advanced ancient civilization.
About the Author
The Story of Atlantis, the Lost City
The history of Atlantis, with its sophisticated society and its tragic disappearance, has been the subject of study and fascination for centuries. In the series Initiation, Matias De Stefano offers a detailed and in-depth look at the evolution and impact of this lost city. In this article we explore the origins, structure, beliefs and fall of Atlantis, based on the accounts and knowledge shared by Matias.
Table of Contents
- The Origins of Atlantis
- The Structure of Atlantis
- Their Spiritual and Religious Beliefs
- The Heyday of the Atlantean Empire
- The Fall of Atlantis
- Khem: The New Atlantis
- The Legacy of Atlantis
The Origins of Atlantis
The story of Atlantis begins with the arrival of the Anunnaki, giant beings from the Middle East, who settled on Earth to help their species survive while their own planet was dying. These extraterrestrial beings had children with humans, creating a new civilization that would eventually become the Atlanteans. This mixing of races allowed the Atlanteans to inherit advanced knowledge and skills from the Anunnaki.
The Greek god Poseidon, known to the Atlanteans as Talyn, was one of these Anunnaki. Talyn protected and guided twelve of these mixed-race children, leading them from their isolated civilization in the Middle East to the Atlantic Ocean, away from the dominating influence of other Anunnaki. This established the twelve families of Atlantis, each charged with preserving and transmitting the star information they possessed.
The twelve families of Atlantis divided the main island into twelve small regions, each controlled by a family. These were not traditional rulers, but guardians of cosmic information. Through their connection to the stars, the Atlanteans developed a civilization that valued both spiritual knowledge and technological advancement.
The purpose of Atlantis was to be an experiment in human evolution, run by star beings such as the Arcturians and Pleiadians. These beings taught the Atlanteans to use sacred geometry and cosmic energies to build structures that were not only architecturally impressive, but also spiritually potent. These practices enabled the Atlanteans to achieve high levels of consciousness and wisdom.
In the series Initiation, available on Gaia, Matias De Stefano explores these origins in depth, revealing how ancestral knowledge and connection with beings from other dimensions shaped the advanced civilization of Atlantis.
The Structure of Atlantis
The structure of Atlantis stood out for its advanced organization and the integration of spiritual and technological principles in its urban and social design. The following are the most relevant aspects of this civilization:
- Regional distribution: Atlantis was divided into twelve regions, each governed by one of the twelve families. These regions represented not only administrative divisions, but also areas of spiritual and technological responsibility.
- Spiritual rule: The twelve families that ruled Atlantis were not monarchs in the traditional sense, but guardians of cosmic wisdom. Their leadership was based on spiritual knowledge and ethical guidance rather than authoritarian control.
- Circular city: The capital of Atlantis was a circular city located on the main island. This layout reflected the harmony and balance that the Atlanteans sought in all aspects of their lives.
- Resonance technology: The Atlanteans used vibration and sound technology for building and healing. This technology allowed the construction of pyramids and temples that acted as resonance points for communication and energy transfer over great distances.
- Sacred geometry: Atlantean architecture incorporated principles of sacred geometry, using shapes and patterns such as the Flower of Life to align their structures with cosmic energies, facilitating meditation and spiritual connection.
- Portal network: Atlantis had a network of natural and artificial portals that allowed the connection with other dimensions and the transfer of cosmic information. This network was fundamental for its spiritual and technological evolution.
- Wisdom centers: Temples in Atlantis served as places of knowledge and energy. They were designed to optimize energetic resonance, facilitating advanced spiritual practices and connection with cosmic forces.
- Stellar influence: The knowledge and skills of the Atlanteans came from their interaction with beings from other worlds, such as the Arcturians and Pleiadians. This interaction profoundly shaped their culture, religion and technology, integrating cosmic knowledge into their daily lives.
- Strategic expansion: During their heyday, the Atlanteans established settlements in key regions such as Egypt and the Mediterranean. These settlements not only expanded their territorial influence, but also allowed them access to important energy portals around the world.
Their Spiritual and Religious Beliefs
The spiritual beliefs of the Atlanteans were deeply rooted in an understanding of the connection between the cosmos and life on Earth. They believed that all divinities were different expressions of a single universal consciousness. This approach allowed the Atlanteans to see every aspect of nature and the cosmos as a divine manifestation. Natural elements such as water, fire, earth and air were considered sacred, and each had its own gods and guardian spirits. This worldview fostered a deep respect for nature and the interconnectedness of all life.
One of the pillars of Atlantean spiritual beliefs was the practice of sacred geometry. Atlanteans used specific shapes and patterns, such as the Flower of Life, to align their structures with cosmic energies. They believed that these geometric shapes were the key to understanding and manipulating the energies of the universe. Temples and other important buildings were built according to these principles, allowing the Atlanteans to create spaces that facilitated meditation and spiritual connection.
Atlantean rituals and ceremonies were designed to maintain balance and harmony at both the individual and collective levels. They used vibration and sound to heal and elevate their consciousness, integrating practices such as chanting and harmonic resonance. These ceremonies not only strengthened the community, but also served as a means to align with cosmic forces and receive spiritual guidance. This holistic approach to spirituality allowed Atlanteans to live in harmony with the universe and foster continued spiritual growth.
The Heyday of the Atlantean Empire
At its peak, Atlantis had a population of approximately 300,000 people distributed in several villages along three main islands. This distribution reflected the advanced organization and planning of the Atlantean civilization.
The Atlantean empire reached its greatest expansion by establishing settlements in the Mediterranean and beyond. Following Earth’s energetic patterns, the Atlanteans founded colonies in regions such as Egypt, Asia Minor and the Middle East. These settlements not only extended their territorial influence, but also allowed them access to important energetic portals that strengthened their connection to cosmic energies. Atlantean expansion was both a territorial conquest and an effort to unify the planetary energies under their control.
Atlantean technology played a crucial role in their heyday. They used vibration and sound to build and heal, developing a network of pyramids and temples that functioned as resonance points. This network allowed the Atlanteans to communicate and transfer energy over great distances. In addition, this technology was used for cell regeneration and life extension, demonstrating their mastery over natural forces and their ability to manipulate physical reality.
The Atlantean system of government was based on wisdom and spiritual guidance. The twelve families that ruled Atlantis were not tyrants, but guardians of cosmic wisdom. Their leadership was focused on maintaining balance and harmony in society, using their knowledge of the stars and sacred geometry to guide the civilization toward sustainable and spiritually advanced development. This approach allowed Atlantis to flourish as a prosperous and balanced civilization, capable of integrating advanced technology with deep spirituality.
The Fall of Atlantis
The fall of Atlantis is one of the most tragic and fascinating stories of antiquity. The Atlantean civilization began to disintegrate during the Age of Scorpio. This period was marked by an abuse of the knowledge and technology possessed by the Atlanteans. The leaders of Atlantis, once guardians of cosmic wisdom, began to use their abilities to exert power and control over others, deviating from their spiritual and ethical principles.
This abuse of power led to a series of natural catastrophes that contributed to the destruction of Atlantis. The Atlanteans had developed advanced technologies that used frequencies and resonances for multiple purposes. However, these same technologies were employed for war and domination, resulting in devastating energy waves that caused the disappearance of entire cities and turned fertile regions into barren deserts.
Internal tensions and conflicts with other civilizations also played a crucial role in the fall of Atlantis. The war with the civilization of Mu was especially destructive, leading to a series of battles that depleted Atlantean resources and morale. Finally, a combination of natural disasters and internal social collapse culminated in the complete destruction of the Atlantean civilization, with the main island sinking into the ocean in a single night of misfortune.
Khem: The New Atlantis
Khem, known as the new Atlantis, emerged after the collapse of the Atlantean civilization. This transition occurred during the Age of Virgo, when the remaining Atlanteans migrated and established new bases in Egypt and other regions of the Mediterranean. Khem inherited much of Atlantean knowledge and practices, including the use of sacred geometry and vibrational resonance in their constructions. The temples and pyramids of Egypt bear witness to this transfer of wisdom, which continued to influence the spiritual and technological development of the region.
The new civilization of Khem focused on maintaining and expanding Atlantean knowledge, adapting it to its new environment. This integration allowed Khem to flourish as a center of learning and spiritual evolution. Khem’s leaders, many of them descendants of the ancient Atlantean guardians, worked to preserve the harmony and balance that once characterized Atlantis. Thus, Khem became a bridge between the legacy of Atlantis and future civilizations, ensuring that the lessons learned would not be lost to time.
The Legacy of Atlantis
Despite its destruction, the legacy of Atlantis lives on in numerous cultures and traditions around the world. The teachings and technologies of the Atlanteans were carried to new lands by their survivors, influencing regions such as Egypt, Greece and Central America in their mythology, architecture and spiritual practices. These cultures reflect Atlantean knowledge of sacred geometry and cosmic alignment in their monuments and temples.
The spiritual impact of Atlantis is also evident in many religions and esoteric philosophies. The principles of connection to the cosmos, the importance of energetic alignment, and the use of vibration and sound for healing and evolution are concepts that have endured throughout the centuries. These teachings continue to inspire spiritual seekers and modern practitioners who seek to integrate these principles into their daily lives.
In addition, the story of Atlantis has been a catalyst for exploration and the search for lost civilizations. Archaeologists, historians and explorers have dedicated their lives to unearthing the remains of this ancient civilization, searching for evidence to corroborate the accounts of Plato and others. These efforts have led to numerous important discoveries that have enriched our understanding of ancient cultures and their connection to Atlantis.
The story of Atlantis continues to be a source of inspiration and reflection on human potential and our capabilities. It reminds us that while we can reach great heights of knowledge and technology, we must do so with a sense of responsibility and ethics. The legacy of Atlantis urges us to learn from its mistakes and use our abilities to create a more harmonious and balanced world, avoiding the paths that led to its downfall.
