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Geometry of Vedic Altars

In: Architecture and Mathematics from Antiquity to the Future

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  • George Gheverghese Joseph

    (University of Manchester)

Abstract

The earliest material evidence of Indian mathematics is found among the ruins of the Harappa civilization, including an elaborate system of weights and measures related to binary and decimal series. The Harappa culture’s use of kiln-fired bricks provides a link between the “frozen” geometry unearthed by archaeologists and the earliest written geometry, a guide to constructing Vedic brick altars. The Sulbasutras and the Sathapatha Brahmana contain valuable information about the geometry of ancient India, including instructions for constructing sacrificial altars and locating sacred fires. The procedures described for constructing the altars used during Agnicayana involve methods for approximating the values for the square roots of 2 and 5. One theory of the origins of geometry in India suggests that it must have come into being when there was already an advanced form of brick technology with a long tradition behind it.

Suggested Citation

  • George Gheverghese Joseph, 2015. "Geometry of Vedic Altars," Springer Books, in: Kim Williams & Michael J. Ostwald (ed.), Architecture and Mathematics from Antiquity to the Future, edition 127, chapter 0, pages 149-162, Springer.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-3-319-00137-1_10
    DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-00137-1_10
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