Workshop
History of Science in Africa
Organizer :
Dr. J.P. Mbelek
spécialisé en astronomie et astrophysique
specialized in astronomy and astophysics,
Saclay, France
Abstract :
This workshop aims at informing the public on the historical depth of the scientific tradition in Africa since the origins of the homo sapiens-sapiens in East Africa until our days, in spite of the human tragedies endured by the continent during the last millenium. Thus, the presentation of the deciphering of the bone Ishango will make enable the public to take note of the oldest testimony of the practice of mathematical arts 25,000 years ago at the edges of the lake Rutanzige (lake Edouard) to 15 km only in the north of the Equator in the current Democratic Republic of Congo. In historical continuity, presentations with accompanying notes of the papyruses Rhind, Boulaq and Moscow will introduce the public to mathematics as practiced in old Egypt since 5000 years, of which the use of duplications to carry out multiplications and divisions as well as the use of the zero. This last presentation will be used as aid to stimulate discussion on the methods of teaching elementary mathematics. The presentation of sites of archeoastronomy in Africa and the sidereal calendar of old Egypt, followed by a presentation of the observation of the heliacal rising of Sirius at Dogons will give the depth of the astronomical tradition in Black Africa. Two films will be programmed on this occasion, one concerning the scientific work of professor Cheikh Anta Diop and the other on in situ observation in Badiangara of the heliacal rising of Sirius by the astrophysicist Jean Marc Bonnet-Bidaud and carried out by Jérome Blumberg, in collaboration with Jean Marc Bonnet-Bidaud, Germaine Dieterlin and Jean Rouch.