Fragments of Rhind Mathematical Papyrus
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
This papyrus was most likely a mathematical reference textbook for the use of scribes. These fragments became separated from the main papyrus when the roll was broken into two parts, probably at the time of its discovery in the mid-nineteenth century.
The fragments seen in the upper register, and those few on the right, are from the end of a section that dealt with the simplification of fractions. The fragments in the five lower registers on the left come from the beginning of the section that demonstrated the equitable division of one, two, six, seven, eight, and nine loaves of bread among ten men.
MEDIUM
Papyrus, ink
DATES
ca. 1493–1481 B.C.E.
DYNASTY
Dynasty 18
PERIOD
New Kingdom
DIMENSIONS
Largest Fragment: 6 5/16 x 3 3/8 in. (16 x 8.5 cm)
(show scale)
ACCESSION NUMBER
37.1784Ea-b
CREDIT LINE
Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
A number of fragments from the end of the 1st section of the Rhind Mathematical Papyrus. Section deals with the division of 2 by the numbers 3-101 and a section from the middle of the 2nd register dealing with division by 10. There are 3 large fragments and a dozen or so small fragments.
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Fragments of Rhind Mathematical Papyrus, ca. 1493–1481 B.C.E. Papyrus, ink, Largest Fragment: 6 5/16 x 3 3/8 in. (16 x 8.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.1784Ea-b (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 37.1784e_transpc005.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 37.1784e_transpc005.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
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we welcome any additional information you might have.
How can they figure out where the fragments fit in relation to each other where the writings aren't continuous?
That's a good question! Of course the writing on the papyrus is the easiest way to put the pieces back together, but the grain of the material itself also helps a great deal.
It's exactly like a jigsaw puzzle!
What is this?
These are a few fragments that have been determined to have broken off a well-known papyrus document known as the Rhind Mathematical Papyrus. Most of the document is in the British Museum in London.
Scholars believe that the document served as a textbook for scribes learning arithmetic. At least 84 example math problems have been identified in the document.
Thank you!
I don't have a question but the papyrus fragment is really cool!
I'm glad you liked it! The rest of it is in the collection of the British Museum. If you though this was cool be sure to check out our Book of the Dead scroll in the Mummy Chamber. It's incredibly well preserved!
