Decoding the Nineveh Planisphere: Sexagesimal Math in a Neo-Assyrian Sky Map — E8 Intelligence Research
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: FINDING: The Nineveh Planisphere (K.8538) is a Neo-Assyrian circular clay star map encoding astronomical observations via cuneiform, with claims of a recorded celestial disaster; the only mathematically verifiable content is its base-60 positional notation and geometric division of the sky. MATH: The tablet is 14 cm in diameter → circumference ≈ 43.98 cm. Cuneiform numerals use sexagesimal (base-60) place-value: e.g., 1,0 = 60; 1,0,0 = 3600. The planisphere divides the ecliptic into 12 sectors of 30° each (360°/12 = 30°), consistent with later Babylonian zodiacal arithmetic. Any specific disaster date is unverified; the only solid math is the sexagesimal angular system and the circle's 360° partition. CONNECTION: The 12×30° division yields ratios: 30/360 = 0.0833; 60/360 = 0.1667; 90/360 = 0.25; 120/360 = 0.333; 150/360 = 0.4167; 180/360 = 0.5. No direct 0.382, 0.618, 0.786, or 1.618 appears in the raw cuneiform data. However, base-60 inherently encodes 1/60 = 0.01667, and 60/360 = Author: Andrew Stewart Caldin, Independent Researcher, UK. Part of the E8 Intelligence Research series. Platform: e8intelligence.com
Author: Caldin, Andrew Stewart
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7212118678
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