A SCHOOL-BOOK 3,600 YEARS OLD.
PROBABLY the oldest school-book in existence is an arithmetic lately unearthed in Egypt. The papyrus of which it was made was in good condition; it dates back to about one hundred years before the time of Moses, or seventeen hundred before the birth of Christ, nearly three thousand six hundred years ago. This arithmetic proves that the Egyptians possessed a thorough knowledge of mathematics equal, if not superior, to our own. It is evident from the location of the great Pyramid that the Egyptians could “square the circle.” This arithmetic shows that subtraction and division were not then used as they are now, but correct results were secured. Equations were not then obtained as at present, but equations are to be found in the book. The book was headed, “Directions how to attain the knowledge of all dark things.” There were found numerous examples of various kinds displayed on the pages of papyrus.