How to write numbers in ancient times?

tmp3611-3The ancient Egyptians wrote their numerals on papyrus (a special paper made of reeds), painted them on clay pots or carved them into the walls of their temples and pyramids.

The Babylonians had learned from the Sumerians, how to write numerals and signs for things on soft clay tablets with a reed pen. The Chinese wrote their numbers on cloth with ink and a bamboo brush or quill. Without any contact with the rest of the world, the Mayas in Central America developed one of the most interesting number systems of the early days. They used only three symbols for their numerals: one point •, a straight line__ and an oval ο.

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