The division of time into 60 seconds per minute and 60 minutes per hour originates from ancient Mesopotamian civilizations, specifically the Babylonians and their predecessors, the Sumerians, who developed and utilized a sexagesimal (base-60) number system for mathematics and astronomy.
The Ancient Origins of Time Division
The practice of dividing hours into 60 minutes and minutes into 60 seconds is a direct legacy of the Babylonians. This ancient civilization, renowned for its advancements in mathematics and celestial observation, adopted a unique method of counting. Their sophisticated system, known as the sexagesimal system, was fundamental to their understanding and measurement of the world around them, including time.
Roots in Sumerian Culture
The Babylonians themselves did not invent this numbering system in isolation. They inherited and refined it from even older cultures in Mesopotamia. Evidence suggests that the Sumerians, one of the earliest civilizations in the region, were already employing a base-60 system as far back as 3500 BC. This enduring system became a cornerstone for subsequent civilizations, demonstrating its practical utility and resilience.
The Sexagesimal System Explained
A sexagesimal system is a number system with 60 as its base. Unlike our modern decimal system (base-10), where we count in tens, the Babylonians counted in units of 60. This system wasn't just for timekeeping; it was used for weights, measures, and all their mathematical calculations, particularly in astronomy.
Why Base-60? Practical Advantages
The choice of 60 as a base might seem unusual today, but it offered significant practical advantages for ancient civilizations, especially concerning division. The number 60 is a highly composite number, meaning it has a large number of divisors. This made calculations involving fractions much simpler without the need for complex decimal points.
Consider the divisibility of 60:
- It can be evenly divided by:
- 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- 10, 12, 15, 20, 30, 60
This extensive set of factors made it ideal for dividing whole units into smaller, manageable parts, whether it was time, circles (360 degrees), or other measurements. This is a significant advantage over a base-10 system, which only divides evenly by 1, 2, 5, and 10.
| Base Number | Divisors (Factors) |
|---|---|
| 10 | 1, 2, 5, 10 |
| 60 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 12, 15, 20, 30, 60 (This extensive list highlights its utility for easy division into halves, thirds, quarters, etc.) |
Legacy and Modern Usage
The Babylonian sexagesimal system's influence on timekeeping persisted through Greek and Islamic astronomy and eventually made its way into European culture, becoming the standard we use globally today. Even though most of our modern world operates on a decimal system, the ancient Mesopotamian legacy endures every time we glance at a clock or a compass.
This historical continuity highlights how practical mathematical solutions from millennia ago can continue to shape our daily lives. The specific reasons why the Sumerians and Babylonians initially chose 60 are debated, but its mathematical elegance and practical utility are undeniable.
