Karenleigh A. Overmann, an archaeologist and research fellow at the University of Bergen, dives into the fascinating origins of numbers. She reveals how ancient materials shaped numerical systems in the Near East, transforming physical counting tools into abstract concepts. Overmann discusses the cultural variability of counting methods and explores Material Engagement Theory, illustrating how tangible tools influenced cognitive processes. Her insights shed light on the evolution of mathematical understanding and the groundbreaking innovations from Mesopotamia.