To expand search, see Number Systems. Laterally related topics: The Hindu-Arabic Numerals, The Quipu, and TallySystems.
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Patel, D. M. Symbols for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 & 0 in Sanskrit and English languages. Math. Ed. (Siwan) 15 (1981), no. 1, B1--B3. (Reviewer: Brij Mohan.) SC: 01A99 (01A32), MR: 82h:01080.
There have been many theories on the origins of the numerals 1 through 9. The numerals for 1, 2, and 3 are frequently thought to based on one two or three tally marks or fingers, drawn in the case of 2 and 3 so that the number is written in one stroke. There have been many theories for the origins of the other numerals. Patel suggests that the Hindu-Arabic numerals 4, 6, 7, 8, and 9 were derived from shapes made with the fingers (perhaps some kind of finger numerals?). It's likely that the last word has not yet been said. He also notes similarities between the Sanskrit and English words for the numbers one through nine; these similarities are however already very well known. Closely related topics: The Hindu-Arabic Numerals and India.
Zaslavsky, Claudia. Africa counts. Number and pattern in African culture. Prindle, Weber & Schmidt, Inc., Boston, Mass., 1973. x+328 pp. SC: 01A10, MR: 58 #20993.
This book is an excellent introduction to the mathematics of (primarily sub-Saharan) Africa. The best tribute to its importance may be in Gerdes, Paulus, On mathematics in the history of sub-Saharan Africa. Gerdes writes "In her classical study Africa Counts: Number and Pattern in African Culture ..., Claudia Zaslavsky presented an overview of the available literature on mathematics in the history of sub-Saharan Africa. She discussed written, spoken, and gesture counting, number symbolism, concepts of time, numbers and money, weights and measures, record-keeping (sticks and strings), mathematical games, magic squares, graphs, and geometric forms, while Donald Crowe contributed a chapter on geometric symmetries in African art." Regarding geometric symmetries, it is primarily the frieze patterns and plane patterns that are discussed; there is surely more work to be done on the bichromatic frieze and plane patterns. Many readers will wish to explore further. Gerdes' paper should be invaluable for this, not least for its extensive bibliography. Another useful resource is the newsletter distributed by the African Mathematical Union's Commission on the History of Mathematics in Africa (AMUCHMA). Closely related topics: Sub-Saharan Africa, TallySystems, Counting, Numerology, The Reckoning of Time, Money, Measurement, Games, Continuous Tracing Problems, Architecture, Magic Squares, Mathematics in Language, Frieze Patterns, Plane Patterns, The Islamic World, and Anthropology, General.