SKU: 38592961442

Ancient Puzzles

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Description

Ancient PuzzlesMatch wits with the great minds of the world's greatest civilizations in this fascinating collection of ancient conundrums, brainteasers, and mind benders. What do prehistoric bone markings and modern computer science have in common? What is the mystery of pi that stumped generations of ancient mathematicians? What are the ancient puzzle origins of popular games such as tic tac toe and chess? Can you solve the puzzles posed to emperor Charlemagne by

Match wits with the great minds of the world's greatest civilizations in this fascinating collection of ancient conundrums, brainteasers, and mind-benders.

- What do prehistoric bone markings and modern computer science have in common?
- What is the mystery of pi that stumped generations of ancient mathematicians?
- What are the ancient puzzle origins of popular games such as tic-tac-toe and chess?
- Can you solve the puzzles posed to emperor Charlemagne by Alcuin of York?
- What's the secret lore behind magic squares that captured the imagination of Chinese emperors, Persian mystics, and Benjamin Franklin?

Dominic Olivastro presents a popular history of mathematics by focusing on the puzzles that civilizations posed for their own education and entertainment. Here are classic "puzzle problems" from ancient Africa, Egypt, Persia, China, and Greece and from cultures and texts spanning the Middle Ages and the Renaissance all the way to the present.

Each puzzle is linked with insightful folk and scientific history that helps shed light on the mysterious purpose and origin of the problem. Fascinating clues for figuring out answers draw on modern problem-solving techniques and lead to ancient secrets that, before now, have rarely been understood. Whether you decipher them for their historical significance, classical wisdom, or just for the sheer, maddening fun of it, these delightful puzzles provide a unique, entertaining, and enlightening guide to the evolution of the human mind.

Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Random House
Published: 11/01/1993
ISBN: 9780553372977
Pages: 288
Weight: 0.98lbs
Size: 9.10h x 6.22w x 0.72d

Review Citations: Booklist 11/01/1993 pg. 498
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SKU: 38592961442

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C.W.
Cuba, US
★★★★★ 5
Easy to assemble. Still used for over a year 🙌🏾
Color: White, Size: 6 Panel
Everything is perfect! I would buy again in other colors and heights if I need additional separation in the basement.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2026
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Amazon Customer
Battle Creek, US
★★★★★ 3
Cheap Garbage
Color: Black, Size: 4 Panel
This item is just cheap crap. Shoddily put together, shoddy materials, and looks cheap. If you’re just putting it in a space that you don’t really care that it’s cheap, then it might be fine for what you need. But don’t expect much.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2026
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Angel
Chelsea, US
★★★★★ 5
Keeps areas separated
Color: Black, Size: 6 Panel
Item arrived quickly. I use this to keep my cats out of a part of the cellar. Works great. They've figured out how to slip through side. I made a panel that covers those spots. Still the best item to keep area separate.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2026
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Coammom
Lexington, US
★★★★★ 5
Nice panels
Color: Black, Size: 6 Panel
Gives good coverage, nice dark panels. Easy to assemble, light product and sturdy. I will recommend this item! Completely covers the back shelves that are for employees only.
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Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2025
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Chris Stockbridge
Waukegan, US
★★★★★ 5
Worth the investment
Size: 1 Panel, Size: 1 Panel
I had to order this in an emergency. To put it in brief words, I live in a two level studio unit. My bedroom TV fell backwards off the bureau accidentally and down the stairs to its demise. Putting this together was no problem, instructions were thorough and easy. It came with several bars that connected together smoothly and an Allen key for the brackets and screws for the feet. I did one less horizontal bar on top and bottom so it could fit, which was great because with all of them on it was too long. However I ran into the difficulty of the horizontal bars popping out of the brackets during the last stages, but eventually got it done. I was also looking for a specific type of divider where I could adjust the feet so I could tuck it in between the dresser and banister. Glad I made this purchase.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2026

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