Tally Sticks

Tally sticks are one of the earliest forms of counting and record-keeping devices used by humans. Dating back thousands of years, tally sticks were simple, notched pieces of wood or bone that served as an early method for tracking numbers and quantities. The process involved making a series of cuts or notches on the stick, with each notch representing a specific quantity.

Prehistoric Times

The use of tally sticks dates back to prehistoric times, with evidence of their use found in archaeological sites around the world. The earliest known tally sticks are from the Upper Paleolithic era, between 25,000 and 35,000 years ago, such as the Ishango Bone discovered in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This artifact, a fibula of a baboon with a series of notches, is believed to be one of the first known mathematical objects. Throughout history, tally sticks were used by various civilizations, including the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, each adapting the tool to their own needs and systems.

England

In medieval England, tally sticks became particularly significant as a governmental tool. The English Exchequer used split tally sticks to collect taxes and manage accounts from the 12th century until the 19th century. These sticks were split lengthwise into two parts: the stock and the foil. The stock, or the larger part, was kept by the creditor, while the foil, or the smaller part, was given to the debtor. The matching parts served as proof of the debt and its repayment. This system was not only secure, due to the unique grain patterns of the wood that prevented counterfeiting, but also user-friendly, as it did not require literacy to understand.

Value

Tally sticks represent an ingenious solution to record-keeping challenges in a pre-digital era. Their simplicity, durability, and ease of use made them an essential tool for centuries. Despite their eventual obsolescence with the advent of more sophisticated accounting methods and written records, the historical significance of tally sticks remains. They are a testament to human ingenuity and the development of complex systems of trade and governance long before the digital age. Today, tally sticks are studied by historians and archaeologists as valuable artifacts that offer insights into early economic practices and social organization.

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Alivia Brown

Associate

Alivia Brown graduated from UCLA in 2022 with a major in Anthropology and a minor in Evolutionary Medicine. During her time at UCLA, Alivia was involved in both psychological and anthropological research which ultimately led her to find a passion for education and cross-cultural knowledge. Alivia has a passion for not only learning, but also sharing knowledge with the world. She is a video editor, educational researcher, and an online educator. You will rarely find someone who is as passionate about their major as Alivia is about anthropology. In addition to her academic achievement and experience in film, Alivia also has her own YouTube channel devoted to Anthropology. On this channel, Alivia hopes to make anthropology a more accessible topic for the global community and educate others on the importance of the field.