The Ishango Bone
Source: https://www.storyofmathematics.com/prehistoric.html
LESSON 1
Prehistoric Mathematics
LEARNING OUTCOME/S:
In this lesson, you will learn to:
a. Demonstrate understanding and appreciation of the
notable events during prehistoric times
The following are the notable events during Prehistoric Times:
Prehistory or Stone Age means the period before people gain knowledge to keep
written documents and records. Prehistoric mathematics is composed of the Paleolithic and
Neolithic Ages.
The Ishango bone is one of the oldest mathematical artifacts discovered by Belgian
anthropologist Jean de Heinzelin de Braucourt (1920-1998) in Central Africa in 1960.
Anthropologists believe that this was from a fibula of a baboon, large cat, or other large mammal
and has been dated approximately 20 000-25 000 years ago. It is a tally stick to record and
document figures or numbers, quantities, and information.
PALEOLITHIC AGE (Old Stone Age)
The longest part of the prehistoric times
Unstable places to live; mostly they live in caves and use plants and skin of
animals for building tents and clothing
Primitives are seeking food to survive
Stones, bones, and sticks are being used to create weapons like daggers and
spears for hunting
Wield fire and start establishing language for communication
Mathematics during Prehistoric Times
