Cultural heritage as a mathematical context: Interpretation of set theory in spatial layout of Prambanan temple

Abstract

Mathematics is often perceived as culturally neutral and detached from its social and historical foundations, leading to the neglect of cultural heritage rich in mathematical ideas. This study investigates how the concept of sets is reflected in the spatial layout of the Prambanan Temple Complex through an ethnomathematics perspective. By uncovering these embedded structures, the research demonstrates the potential of cultural heritage as a meaningful context for mathematics education, promoting both conceptual understanding and appreciation of cultural identity. Adopting an ethnomathematics perspective, this study employs ethnographic methods to analyze the spatial layout of the 9th-century Prambanan Temple. The investigation focuses on identifying mathematical principles within the temple’s spatial classification system, particularly in relation to grouping, membership, and separation across the hierarchical zones of Bhurloka, Bhuvarloka, and Swarloka. The analysis reveals that ancient Javanese society implicitly can be interpreted as set-theoretical structures in the spatial layout of Prambanan Temple. The hierarchical spatial divisions demonstrate systematic applications of grouping, inclusion, and exclusion principles, reflecting mathematical thought embedded in cultural practices. These insights suggest that cultural artifacts such as temple architecture can be modeled through mathematical frameworks and provide authentic contexts for mathematics learning. This study contributes to the field of multicultural mathematics education by illustrating how cultural heritage can serve as a valuable resource in teaching through the Ethno-Realistic Mathematics Education approach. Situating mathematical concepts in culturally relevant contexts deepens conceptual understanding and strengthens cultural identity, offering practical implications for educators and curriculum developers seeking to embed multicultural perspectives in mathematics education.