Ahmes

Egyptian scribe

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Last updated

June 18, 2026

Quick Summary

Ahmes was an ancient Egyptian scribe who lived around 1650 BCE. He is primarily known for copying the Rhind papyrus, a significant mathematical document from ancient Egypt. This papyrus contains various mathematical tables and problems, offering valuable insights into Egyptian mathematics. Scribes like Ahmes were educated professionals who handled administrative tasks, including record-keeping and managing public works, which often involved mathematical calculations. The Rhind papyrus reflects these practical applications, covering arithmetic and geometry problems related to distributing wages, measuring areas, and calculating volumes of structures like pyramids.

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Rhind papyrus
…frequently, it is called the Ahmes papyrus in honor of the scribe who copied it about 1650 bce.
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…frequently, it is called the Ahmes papyrus in honor of the scribe who copied it about 1650 bce.
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geometry
Estimating the wealth
Ahmes, the scribe who copied and annotated the Rhind papyrus (c. 1650 bce), has much to say about cylindrical granaries and pyramids, whole and truncated. He could calculate their volumes, and, as appears from his taking the Egyptian seked, the horizontal distance associated with a…
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Ahmes, the scribe who copied and annotated the Rhind papyrus (c. 1650 bce), has much to say about cylindrical granaries and pyramids, whole and truncated. He could calculate their volumes, and, as appears from his taking the Egyptian seked, the horizontal distance associated with a…
Read More