nLab Zariski geometry

Zariski geometry is a structure defined by Boris Zilber. See his book

• Boris Zilber, Zariski Geometries, Cambridge University Press, 2010 (publisher’s book page)

Zariski Geometries are abstract structures in which a suitable generalisation of Zariski topology makes sense. Algebraic varieties over an algebraically closed field and compact complex spaces in a natural language are examples of Zariski geometries. The main theorem by Hrushovski and the lecturer states that under certain non-degeneracy conditions a 1-dimensional Zariski geometry can be identified as an algebraic curve over an algebraically closed field. The proof of the theorem exhibits, as a matter of fact, a way to develop algebraic geometry from purely geometric abstract assumptions not involving any algebra at all. Recent works in model theory of complex manifolds, differential fields and non-commutative geometry point to exciting perspectives for the theory.