painther! I agree, the principles of mathematics could never have been created the foundations that they follow have always existed it's just been a matter of when they're discovered. However, the actual mathematical language/numerical system that was used to follow these mathematical principles were invented, first by the egyptions to implament their taxation system..and ofcourse it was reinvented by the indians and developed greatly, and even after that time although the developed contributions were followed on the mathematical language had been reinvented in many forms before it got to the stage it is as we use it today.
I'm a physicist so I'm somewhat passionate about the roots of mathematics and could go all day, and I'm presuming you know your fair share of mathematics aswell or it's history - I agree with you, maths as a principle has never been 'created'.