Monday, August 27, 2007
Ethno-Mathematics
Thomas Gilsdorf is going to be delivering a presentation/lecture in Bismarck this coming Wednesday (3pm, CST) on Ethno-Mathematics (or Native American math systems). I'm going to go down and check it out. Wish you math guys were out here to check it out too. I know a bit about the Mayan and Aztec lunar calanders, and I imagine that this will delve into something similar. I'll report my findings. Here's a link to an excerpt from a previous presentation.
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3 comments:
Hmmm... Depends on what one means by mathematics. From the link you sent, that sounds more like numerology (or some kind of arithmetic), whence a very proper subset of the vast edifice of mathematics.
Yeah, that's a good point AI regarding defining what he means by "mathematics."
Depending on what he reveals in the lecture, I'll maybe get a chance to ask him that very question for clarification. I'll report the findings.
I just returned from this ethnomathematics lecture, and it was either A) rather diluted for one reason or another; or B) there was basic algebra, memorization, and numerology going on in pre-Columbian Native America. Perhaps a more, ah, "advanced" lecture on the topic would delve into more complex mathematical systems within different Native American tribes. This guy was just talking about the holyman of Carolinian tribes tying knots in banana leaves (in groups of 4), and then using the information to determine and ascribe the fate of individuals in the tribe. It didn't go beyond basic counting and pattern memorization (for weaving), though.
BOOOOORING!!!
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