14/11/2006

The Egypt Centre at Swansea University will say goodbye to one of Ancient Egypt's most mysterious artefacts next week, when the Rhind Mathematical Papyrus is returned to its permanent home at the British Museum .

A section of the famous Rhind has formed the centrepiece of a year-long exhibition at the Egypt Centre, after it was loaned to the museum under the British Museum 's Partnership Scheme.

Visitors to the centre, where entry is free of charge, will have a last chance to see perhaps the most famous of the British Museum's magnificent collection of Egyptian papyri until Tuesday 21 November.

The Rhind was originally a roll 513cm long by 32cm high and came from an unknown site in ancient Thebes , now Luxor .

Beginning with the rather grandiose introduction, Accurate reckoning. The entrance into the knowledge of all existing things and all obscure secrets, the text consists of 84 mathematical problems, which concern the doubling of odd-numbered unit fractions relating to commerce. The Greeks were still using the same system 2000 years later.

The Rhind also has a section on trigonometry and a section on pi, relating to the building of the pyramids and mensuration. The document is written from right to left in hieratic, a quicker, more cursive form of hieroglyphics.

The ancient artefact, which is a unique document in the history of mathematics, was brought to Swansea thanks to the fundraising efforts of Aubrey Truman, Professor of Mathematics at the University.

Carolyn Graves-Brown, Curator at the Egypt Centre, said: "It has been a fantastic coup for us to have such an important exhibit here at the Egypt Centre. The Rhind is 3,500 years old and shows sophisticated mathematical knowledge that helps us to relate our lives today to those of our ancestors.

"We are very grateful to the British Museum for loaning it to us and we hope that many more visitors will have the opportunity to see it before the exhibition closes."

The Egypt Centre is open from Tuesday to Saturday, from 10am to 4pm. Entry is free. For further information, please call Tel: 01792 295960 or visit www.swan.ac.uk/egypt.

Source:	Swansea University - Egypt
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