Timeline of Systematic Data and the Development of Computable Knowledge
![Historical Timeline of Computable Knowledge: 20,000 BC-0 Historical Timeline of Computable Knowledge: 20,000 BC-0](/_next/static/images/001_HeaderGraphic_3cc6pNkP.jpg)
![](/_next/static/images/Timeline_Tab1_2G9TimKD.png)
![The Babylonians introduce mathematical calculation as a way to find the behavior of planets and a few other systems in nature.](/_next/static/images/500BC_1_h_fjeM9XRv.jpg)
![The Pythagoreans promote the idea that numbers can be used to systematically understand and compute aspects of nature, music, and the world.](/_next/static/images/500BC_2_h_2VlLpZ0w.jpg)
20,000 BC
![Counting abstract objects](/_next/static/images/20000BC_h_3KZ6L-Ww.jpg)
20,000 BC: Arithmetic
Counting abstract objects
The invention of arithmetic provides a way to abstractly compute numbers of objects.
![Representing events by pictures](/_next/static/images/15000BC_h_3xou3a3G.jpg)
15,000 BC: Cave Painting
Representing events by pictures
The Lascaux cave paintings record the first known narrative stories.
![A systematic way to record knowledge](/_next/static/images/3500BC_h_vEhSAz8n.jpg)
3500 BC: Written Language
A systematic way to record knowledge
A central event in the emergence of civilization, written language provides a systematic way to record and transmit knowledge.
![undefined](/_next/static/images/3000BC_h_zHCfwpj3.jpg)
3000 BC: Registering Land Ownership
Babylonian stone boundary markers begin to include inscriptions that record ownership of land.
2500 BC
![Organizing time](/_next/static/images/2500BC_h_2120Snau.jpg)
![](/_next/static/images/2500BC_h_2120Snau.jpg)
2500 BC: Sumerian Calendar
Organizing time
The first known calendar system is established, rounding the lunar month to 30 days to create a 360-day year.
![Symbols for destiny](/_next/static/images/2200BC_h_3i-vPir0.jpg)
![](/_next/static/images/2200BC_h_3i-vPir0.jpg)
2200 BC: I Ching
Symbols for destiny
The 64 possible hexagrams of the Chinese I Ching are taken to enumerate possible features of life and destiny.
![Making a standard for measurement](/_next/static/images/2150BC_h_28qes_Mn.jpg)
2150 BC: Akkadian Measures
Making a standard for measurement
The Akkadian Empire adopts a single unified standard for measuring volume, based on the royal gur-cube.
![Taking stock of a kingdom](/_next/static/images/1800BC_h_3RfmRwLJ.jpg)
![](/_next/static/images/1800BC_h_3RfmRwLJ.jpg)
1800 BC: Babylonian Census
Taking stock of a kingdom
The Babylonian census begins the practice of systematically counting and recording people and commodities for taxation and other purposes.
![Codifying civil laws](/_next/static/images/1790BC_h_2LIzx2Hp.jpg)
1790 BC: Code of Hammurabi
Codifying civil laws
Hammurabi writes down 281 laws prescribing civil behavior in the kingdom of Babylon.
![undefined](/_next/static/images/1700BC_h_1Qy9qkrh.jpg)
![](/_next/static/images/1700BC_h_1Qy9qkrh.jpg)
1700 BC: Babylonian Mathematical Tables
Babylonians make tables of multiplication, reciprocals, squares, cubes, and square and cube roots.
![A building to store knowledge](/_next/static/images/1250BC_h_2UFOJaqI.jpg)
1250 BC: Library at Thebes
A building to store knowledge
The Library at Thebes is the first known effort to gather and make many sources of knowledge available in one place.
![Recording geographic knowledge](/_next/static/images/1150BC_h_zWHTwmIX.jpg)
![](/_next/static/images/1150BC_h_zWHTwmIX.jpg)
1150 BC: Egyptian Maps
Recording geographic knowledge
The Turin Papyrus is the first known topographic map.
1000 BC
![Coins to represent value](/_next/static/images/600BC_h_3WGkVpLb.jpg)
600 BC: Lydian Coinage
Coins to represent value
Lydia (in modern Turkey) introduces gold and silver coins to represent monetary value.
![Using arithmetic to predict the heavens](/_next/static/images/500BC_1_h_fjeM9XRv.jpg)
![](/_next/static/images/500BC_1_h_fjeM9XRv.jpg)
500 BC: Babylonian Astronomy
Using arithmetic to predict the heavens
The Babylonians introduce mathematical calculation as a way to track the behavior of planets and a few other systems in nature.
![Numbers are the key to nature](/_next/static/images/500BC_2_h_2VlLpZ0w.jpg)
500 BC: Pythagoras
Numbers are the key to nature
The Pythagoreans promote the idea that numbers can be used to systematically understand and compute aspects of nature, music, and the world.
![Finding the rules of human language](/_next/static/images/400BC_2_h_1z2njvx4.jpg)
400 BC: Panini
Finding the rules of human language
Panini creates a grammar for Sanskrit, forming the basis for systematic linguistics.
![Teaching knowledge systematically](/_next/static/images/387BC_h_1hJAWMvF.jpg)
387 BC: Plato's Academy
Teaching knowledge systematically
Plato founds his "Academy", which operates in Athens for nine centuries.
![Classifying the world and introducing logic](/_next/static/images/350BC_h_2lpyvP1c.jpg)
350 BC: Aristotle
Classifying the world and introducing logic
Aristotle tries to systematize knowledge, first, by classifying objects in the world, and second, by inventing the idea of logic as a way to formalize human reasoning.
![Collecting the world's knowledge](/_next/static/images/325BC_h_2yXYPUX6.jpg)
325 BC: Library of Alexandria
Collecting the world's knowledge
The Library of Alexandria collects perhaps half a million scrolls with works covering all areas of knowledge.
![Organizing mathematical truth](/_next/static/images/300BC_h_b2no8uZU.jpg)
![](/_next/static/images/300BC_h_b2no8uZU.jpg)
300 BC: Euclid
Organizing mathematical truth
Euclid writes his Elements, systematically presenting theorems of geometry and arithmetic.
![Computing as a basis for technology](/_next/static/images/250BC_h_30KOhO-s.jpg)
250 BC: Archimedes
Computing as a basis for technology
Archimedes uses mathematics to create and understand technological devices and possibly builds gear-based, mechanical astronomical calculators.
![Labeling the Earth](/_next/static/images/200BC_h_2FPbp_vY.jpg)
200 BC: Eratosthenes
Labeling the Earth
Eratosthenes creates the system of longitude and latitude and uses it to create a scaled map of the known world.
![A machine for computing](/_next/static/images/100BC_h_LmQs8K3d.jpg)
100 BC: Antikythera Mechanism
A machine for computing
A gear-based device that survives today is created to compute calendrical computation.
![Standardizing the months](/_next/static/images/45BC_h_8jkQ-6I0.jpg)
45 BC: Julius Caesar
Standardizing the months
Julius Caesar institutes the Julian calendar, establishing the lengths of the twelve months.