OLD NUMERAL SYMBOLS
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11. The symbol used about the second century B.C. to designate absence of a number, or a blank space, is shown in Figure 3, containing numerical data relating to the moon.[1] As previously stated, this symbol, 𒑊, was not used in computation and therefore performed only a small part of the functions of our modern zero. The symbol is an in the tablet in row 10, column 12; also in row 8, column 13. Kugler's translation of the tablet, given in his book, page 42, is shown below. Of the last column only an indistinct fragment is preserved; the rest is broken off.
Fig. 3.—Babylonian lunar tables, reverse; full moon for one year, about the end of the second century b.c.
1... | Nisannu | 28°56′30″ | 19°16′ | ″Librae | 3z | 6°45′4I74II10III | sik |
2... | Airu | 28 | 38 3017 | 54 30Scorpii | 3 | 21 286 | 20 30sik |
3... | Simannu | 28 | 20 3016 | 15Arcitenentis | 3 | 31 393 | 45 30sik |
4... | Dûzu | 28 | 18 30| 14 | 33 30Capri | 3 | 34 411 | 10 30sik |
5... | Âbu | 28 | 36 3013 | 9Aquarii | 3 | 27 561 | 24 30bar |
6... | Ulûlu | 29 | 54 3013 | 3 30Piscium | 3 | 15 341 | 59 30num |
7... | Tišrîtu | 29 | 12 3011 | 16Arietis | 2 | 58 34 | 34 30num |
8... | Araḫ-s. | 29 | 30 3010 | 46 30Tauri | 2 | 40 546 | 0 10num |
9... | Kislimu | 29 | 48 3010 | 35Geminorum | 2 | 29 293 | 25 10num |
10... | Tebitu | 29 | 57 3010 | 32 30Cancri | 2 | 24 300 | 57 10num |
11... | Šabâtu | 29 | 39 3010 | 12Leonis | 2 | 30 531 | 44 50bar |
12... | Adâru I | 29 | 21 309 33 30 | Virginis | 2 | 42 562 | 19 50sik |
13... | Adâru II | 29 | 3 308 36 | Librae | 3 | 0 214 | 54 50sik |
14... | Nisannu | 28 | 45 307 21 30 | Scorpii | 3 | 17 365 | 39 50sik |
- ↑ Franz Xaver Kugler, S.J., Die babylonische Mondrechnung (Freiburg im Breisgau, 1900), Plate IV, No. 99 (81–7–6), lower part.