As a part of the opening week events, the research group Astral Science in Trans-Regional Asia warmly invites to a public talk by Prof. Dr. Clemency Montelle on

 

"History of Mathematics in the Indian Subcontinent"

on Friday, October 11, 2024, from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM (CEST) in the Main Conference Room.

Abstract: 

The astral sciences in the Indian subcontinent—mathematics, astronomy, and related disciplines—have thrived for over two and a half millennia. This rich culture of inquiry has yielded profound insights and techniques that form the bedrock of modern scientific practices, including the base-ten decimal place value system and trigonometry. Despite India’s prolific production of millions of manuscripts over this period, a mere fraction have been identified and studied in depth. This talk will explore some of the mathematical highlights of this scientifically dynamic tradition and address the challenges faced by historians of mathematics in comprehensively accounting for the scientific legacy of this extensive and rich culture of inquiry.

 

About the speaker:

Professor Montelle (University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand) is a renowned historian of mathematics, specializing in the early cultures of inquiry. Her research focuses on deciphering ancient mathematical texts from Mesopotamia, Greece, India, and the Islamic Near East. Through her expertise in philology and meticulous analysis, Professor Montelle has made significant contributions to our understanding of the development and transmission of mathematical knowledge across civilizations.

 

This event takes place at the MPIWG and online. As places may be limited, we kindly ask that you email astra@mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de (by October 7, 2024) to register your attendance in person or to receive the Zoom link. 

Poster download