Ö÷²¥´óÐã

Celtic Mathematical Mount

Contributed by David

Celtic Mathematical Mount

This pre-Roman Celtic Mount displays British mastery of geometry and mathematics as well as bronze-making technology. The outer shape is an ellipse with two extra dissimilar conical sections that appear to be a parabola and a hyperbola. Accurate design of an ellipse, parabola and hyperbola all require great competence in mathematics. The design appears to incorporate a 3,4,5 triangle. The hyperbola, if extended,crosses the central major axis at the opposite (missing) end of the ellipse. Conics were described by Appolonius of Perga (c200BCE). The elliptical Roman Coliseum amphitheatre (built after 70 CE from wealth pillaged from the Jewish War) is considered among Rome's greatest achievements. This mount shows that at least a century earlier maybe more, Celts mastered the conics not only in theory but in practical application. Ellipses occur in ancient Celtic stone circles. Is this mount just decorative or a high status religious, scientific emblem of a teacher? Ancient Greeks and Romans including Cicero, Caesar, Pliny, Tacitus spoke admiringly of Celtic astronomy. Did the druids know planets moved in ellipses? The object has original patina and has not been cleaned.(c)Bron1410

Comments are closed for this object

Share this link:

Most of the content on A History of the World is created by the contributors, who are the museums and members of the public. The views expressed are theirs and unless specifically stated are not those of the Ö÷²¥´óÐã or the British Museum. The Ö÷²¥´óÐã is not responsible for the content of any external sites referenced. In the event that you consider anything on this page to be in breach of the site’s House Rules please Flag This Object.

About this object

Click a button to explore other objects in the timeline

Location

Warwickshire

Culture
Period

Pre-Roman British

Theme
Size
H:
2.8cm
W:
2.2cm
Colour
Material

Podcast

Ö÷²¥´óÐã iD

Ö÷²¥´óÐã navigation

Ö÷²¥´óÐã © 2014 The Ö÷²¥´óÐã is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.