King of Anxi’s Mansion Site in the Yuan, and Arabic Magic Squares
摘要
In spring 1957, during the excavation work at the site of the King of Anxi’s Palace in the Yuan Dynasty, a magic square iron plate with Arabic numerals was discovered. This paper provides a detailed interpretation the King of Anxi and the site of this palace, and explains the significance of the magic square iron plates as historical materials for the study of the evolution of Arabic numerals, mathematics, religion, and customs during the thirteenth century, as well as important evidence of frequent communication between China and the West.