tablets (e.g., Plimpton 322)

Tablets like Plimpton 322 are ancient clay tablets from Mesopotamia, primarily inscribed with cuneiform script. Plimpton 322 specifically displays a mathematical table featuring Pythagorean triplets—sets of three numbers that satisfy the relation a² + b² = c²—used for educational or practical purposes like land measurement or construction. These tablets demonstrate early mathematical understanding, including concepts of ratios and geometry, predating similar Greek discoveries. They provide valuable insight into the mathematical practices and knowledge of ancient civilizations, showcasing their development of numeric and geometric systems.