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An Ancient Egyptian Mathematical Photo Album: Samples of Numeral Hieroglyphs by Location

Author(s): 
Cynthia J. Huffman (Pittsburg State University)

 

Most people would expect to find Egyptian hieroglyphs in ancient temple ruins in Egypt. However, Egyptian hieroglyphs can also be found in museums around the world. Many world history and art museums have Egyptian collections, in which hieroglyphs can be found on pieces of walls, sarcophagi, stelae, vessels, papyri, statues, jewelry, and other objects. In fact, one way to apply this article with students is to explore those collections during in-person or virtual field trips.

The following pages highlight artifacts marked with hieroglyphic numerals that are held in five locations visited by the author:

Temple of Horus at Edfu, Egypt.

Temple of Kom Ombo, Egypt.

  • British Museum
    • Rosetta Stone
    • Rhind Mathematical Papyrus
    • Stela of Merymose’s Campaign Against the Nubians

Entrance to the British Museum, London.

  • Louvre
    • Annals of Thutmose III
    • Cubit Rod
    • Sculptures of Scribes and Examples of Scribal Tools

The Louvre pyramid and Napoleonic Court.

Entrance to Museo Egizio in Turin.

Images of each location retrieved from Wikimedia Commons.

Continue to Edfu Temple page.

Cynthia J. Huffman (Pittsburg State University), "An Ancient Egyptian Mathematical Photo Album: Samples of Numeral Hieroglyphs by Location," Convergence (April 2022)