"In the opinion of Herbert Spencer, that supreme expert in the collection of evidence post judicium, science, like letters, began with the priests, originated in astronomic observations, governing religious festivals, and was preserved in the temples and transmitted across the generations as part of the clerical heritage. We cannot say, for here again beginnings elude us, and we may only surmise. [...]"
Will Durant, Story of Civilization, Vol.1: Our Oriental Heritage, Ch.5, Section II, 1935 (italics & formatting added)
"Counting was probably one of the earliest forms of speech, and in many tribes it still presents a relieving simplicity. The Tasmanians counted up to two: “Parmery, calabawa, cardia”— i.e., “one, two, plenty”; the Guaranis of Brazil adventured further and said: “One, two, three, four, in- numerable.” The New Hollanders had no words for three or jour; three they called “two-one”; jour was “two-two.” Damara natives would not exchange two sheep for four sticks, but willingly exchanged, twice in succession, one sheep for two sticks. [...]" (just interesting)
Will Durant, Story of Civilization, Vol.1: Our Oriental Heritage, Ch.5, Section II, 1935
"The measurement of time by the movements of the heavenly bodies was probably the beginning of astronomy; the very word measure, like the word month (and perhaps the word man— the measurer), goes back apparently to a root denoting the moon.” Men measured time by moons long before they counted it by years; the sun, like the father, was a com- paratively late discovery; even today Easter is reckoned according to the phases of the moon. [...]" (also interesting)
Will Durant, Story of Civilization, Vol.1: Our Oriental Heritage, Ch.5, Section II, 1935 (italics & formatting added)
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