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RE: History of Mathematics - Sumerian and Babylonian Mathematics
The Sumarian system of "base 60" was actually based on counting fingers. Each finger has 3 segments. So the finger segments total 12. And you count to 12 with the thumb touching one finger on the other hand -- or the other thumb. Thus, you get to 12 five times, for a total of 60. Even the cuneform symbols for these numbers seem to signify this. What's amazing is that the 60 second minute, 60 minute hour, 360 degree circle, etc. all came out of this ancient system and have endured to this day!
This is unfortunately not common knowledge. I do suspect that more of it has survived as knowledge carried on by families. I've been looking for this type of thing. When I was a youngster, my father used to do what he called 'ciphering'. He could do long division by counting 'oughts' on the joints of his fingers. I never saw him want a calculator, despite only having a 7th grade education from a one room school house in the mountains.
Great complement my dear friend @wizzin. There is the huge contribution by our ancestors for what we are today.