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The Sumerian System, called “sexagesimal”, combined a mundane 10…
with a “celestial” 6, to obtain the base figure 60. This system is in some
ways superior to our present one, and much superior to later Greek and
Roman systems. It enabled Sumerians to divide into fractions and multiply
into the million, to calculate roots or raise numbers several powers.
This was not only the first known mathematical system, but also one that
gave us… the “place” concept: Just as, (in the decimal system), 2 can be
2 or 20 or 200, depending on the digits place, so could a Sumerian 2
mean 2, or 120 (2 x 60), and so on, depending on the place.
The 360 degree circle, the foot and its 12 inches, and the “dozen” as
a unit, are but a few examples of the vestiges of Sumerian Mathematics,
still evident in our daily lives.
Their achievements in Astronomy, the establishment of a calendar, and
similar mathematical feats will come up later.
The Sumerians are credited with two technological breakthroughs…
that made it possible to combine lightness with tensile strength, for
all clay products: “reinforcing and firing” .
Modern architects… have discovered that reinforced concrete, an
extremely strong building material, can be created by pouring cement
into molds… containing iron rods; long ago, the Sumerians gave their
bricks great strength… by mixing the wet clay with chopped reeds
or straw.
he Sumerians used petroleum products, not only as fuels, but also
as road building materials for water-proofing, chalking, painting, cementing
and molding… there was a “mound of bitumen”, in Ur. Forbes shows…
that the Sumerian language… had terms for every genus, and variant of
bituminous substances found in Mesopotamia.
For example, the most common word for petroleum, “Naphta”, derives
from “Napatu”, “stones that flare up”.
The Sumerian use of petroleum products, was also basic to an
advanced chemistry and alchemy. The high level of Sumerian knowledge
in the variety of paints and pigments used… and such processes… as
glazing, as well as the remarkable artificial production… of semi-precious
stones, including a substitute for Lapis Lazuli.
Bitumens… were also used in Sumerian Medicine, another field
where the standards were impressively high. Hundreds of Akkadian
texts… that have been found, employ Sumerian Medical terms and
phrases extensively, pointing to the Sumerian origin… of all Mesopotamia medicine. They were very advanced in cloning.
