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OLD NUMERAL SYMBOLS
7

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.

REVERSE
1... Nisannu 28°56′30″ 19°16′00″ Librae 3z06°45′ 4I74II10III sik
2... Airu 28°38′30″ 17°54′30″ Scorpii 3z21°28′ 6I20II30III sik
3... Simannu 28°20′30″ 16°15′00″ Arcitenentis 3z31°39′ 3I45II30III sik
4... Dûzu 28°18′30″ | 14°33′30″ Capri 3z34°41′ 1I10II30III sik
5... Âbu 28°36′30″ 13°09′00″ Aquarii 3z27°56′ 1I24II30III bar
6... Ulûlu 29°54′30″ 13°03′30″ Piscium 3z15°34′ 1I59II30III num
7... Tišrîtu 29°12′30″ 11°16′00″ Arietis 2z58°03′ 4I34II30III num
8... Araḫ-s. 29°30′30″ 10°46′30″ Tauri 2z40°54′ 6I00II10III num
9... Kislimu 29°48′30″ 10°35′00″ Geminorum 2z29°29′ 3I25II10III num
10... Tebitu 29°57′30″ 10°32′30″ Cancri 2z24°30′ 0I57II10III num
11... Šabâtu 29°39′30″ 10°12′00″ Leonis 2z30°53′ 1I44II50III bar
12... Adâru I 29°21′30″ 09°33′30″ Virginis 2z42°56′ 2I19II50III sik
13... Adâru II 29°03′30″ 08°36′00″ Librae 3z00°21′ 4I54II50III sik
14... Nisannu 28°45′30″ 07°21′30″ Scorpii 3z17°36′ 5I39II50III sik
  1. ↑ Franz Xaver Kugler, S.J., Die babylonische Mondrechnung (Freiburg im Breisgau, 1900), Plate IV, No. 99 (81–7–6), lower part.
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