Republic of the Philippines

MARINDUQUE STATE COLLEGE

Main Campus: Boac / Branches: Santa Cruz • Torrijos • Gasan
Panfilo P. Manguera Sr. Rd., Tanza, Boac, Marinduque 4900
Tel. No.: (042) 332-2028/2028 Email Address: sucpresident.msc@gmail.com
Trunkline: (042) 332-0662 Website: www.marinduquestatecollege.edu.ph

2400 B.C.E.- Abacus

The abacus is one of many counting devices invented in ancient times to help count large
numbers, but it is believed that the abacus was first used by the Babylonians as early as 2,400
B.C.1 The abacus was in use in Europe, China, and Russia, centuries before the adoption of the
written Hindu-Arabic numeral system.

8000- 3500 B.C.E – Sumerian Clay Tokens

Between 8000 and 3500 B.C.E., Sumerians in Mesopotamia used clay tokens as an early form of
accounting. These tokens represented goods or commodities, and they were enclosed in clay
envelopes. This system allowed for basic record-keeping and facilitated trade by representing
quantities and types of items. Eventually, as societies evolved, this practice paved the way for
more sophisticated writing systems and numerical notations.

Circa 2000 B.C.E – Sexagesimal System

The Sexagesimal system is attributed to the ancient Sumerians, who inhabited Mesopotamia
(modern-day Iraq) around 2000 B.C.E. They developed this base-60 numeral system, which
became a fundamental aspect of their mathematical and astronomical practices. The invention of
the Sexagesimal system is part of the Sumerians’ broader contributions to early mathematics and
is considered a significant development in the history of numerical systems.

Circa 150 B.C.E - Astrolabe

The astrolabe, a versatile ancient instrument used for solving problems related to time and the
position of celestial objects, is believed to have been developed around 150 B.C.E. It’s
associated with the ancient Greeks, and the inventor is often attributed to Hipparchus, a Greek
astronomer and mathematician. The astrolabe was later refined and widely used in various
cultures, becoming a key tool for navigation, astronomy, and surveying in the pre-mechanical
age.

Circa 100 B.C.E – Antirythera Mechanisms

The Antikythera Mechanism, believed to have been created around 100 B.C.E., is an
ancient Greek analog device used for astronomical calculations and predictions. The
specific inventor remains unknown, but it is a complex piece of machinery discovered in
 Republic of the Philippines
MARINDUQUE STATE COLLEGE
Main Campus: Boac / Branches: Santa Cruz • Torrijos • Gasan
Panfilo P. Manguera Sr. Rd., Tanza, Boac, Marinduque 4900
Tel. No.: (042) 332-2028/2028 Email Address: sucpresident.msc@gmail.com
Trunkline: (042) 332-0662 Website: www.marinduquestatecollege.edu.ph

the Antikythera shipwreck. The mechanism featured a system of gears and dials, allowing
it to track celestial movements, including the positions of the sun and moon. This device is
considered a remarkable technological achievement of its time, showcasing a sophisticated
understanding of astronomy in ancient Greece.