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

Ancient Javanese temple architecture at Prambanan encodes set-theoretic principles, revealing how spatial organization reflects mathematical thought. The 9th-century complex's hierarchical zones—Bhurloka, Bhuvarloka, and Swarloka—demonstrate systematic applications of grouping, inclusion, and exclusion, aligning with ethnomathematical analysis. This study highlights Prambanan as a living example of multicultural mathematics education, where cultural heritage serves as an authentic context for teaching set theory. By analyzing the temple's spatial layout through ethnographic methods, researchers uncovered implicit mathematical structures that bridge cultural identity and mathematical pedagogy, offering practical insights for curriculum development under the Ethno-Realistic Mathematics Education approach.

Prahmana, R. C. I., Risdiyanti, I., Peni, N. R. N., Kusaka, S., Khairullah, K., Ramadhani, R., Khasanah, B. A., & Pepkolaj, L. (2026). Cultural heritage as a mathematical context: Interpretation of set theory in spatial layout of Prambanan temple. Infinity Journal, 15(2), 421–438. https://doi.org/10.22460/infinity.v15i2.p421-438