Ancient Civilizations: Science and Tech Origins

Historical Antecedents in Science and Technology

• Ancient times focused on transportation, navigation, communication, record-keeping, security, health, aesthetics, and architecture.

Major Civilizations and Contributions

• Sumerian civilization (Mesopotamia) was known for cooperation and innovation in science and technology.
• Sumerians developed early writing (Cuneiform) and irrigation systems.
• They also created advanced tools and infrastructure.
• Egyptian civilization was renowned for engineering feats like pyramids.
• Egyptians contributed to medicine, architecture, and practical tools.
• Greek civilization is considered the birthplace of western philosophy and mathematics.
• Greeks made advancements in philosophy, geometry, and architecture.
• Roman civilization was the cradle of politics and governance.
• Romans developed legal systems, engineering marvels, and military innovations.
• Chinese civilization is the oldest in Asia, known for silk trade and scientific discoveries.
• Chinese contributed to medicine, navigation (compass), and early technology.

Contributions of Each Civilization

Mesopotamian Civilization

• Mesopotamians invented cuneiform writing for record-keeping.
• They also developed the potter's wheel, irrigation systems, and bronze & iron tools.
• The Walls of Babylon, one of the Seven Ancient Wonders, were built in Mesopotamia.
• Mesopotamians created plows and advanced canal systems for agriculture.
• The Archimedes' Screw for water lifting may have been invented there.
• Assyrians contributed to glassmaking and pottery glazes.

Chinese Civilization

• Chinese pioneered astronomy, physics, chemistry, and seismology.
• They developed the decimal system and recorded solar eclipses.
• The abacus, kites, Kongming lanterns, and mechanical clocks were invented in China.
• The compass was created for religious and navigational use.
• Zhang Heng invented the seismoscope for earthquake detection.
• Fireworks and early gunpowder weapons were developed.

Egyptian Civilization

• Egyptians excelled in astronomy, predicting eclipses and floods.
• They created the ancient Egyptian calendar with 360 days + 5 feast days.
• Advancements were made in medical science, including surgery and disease treatments.
• The preservation of dead bodies (mummification) was perfected.
• Castor oil was used for medicinal purposes.

Greek Civilization

• Greek developed mathematics, including the Pythagorean theorem.
• They theorized Earth's orbit around the Sun and calculated Earth's circumference.
• Medicine was studied scientifically, with doctors diagnosing and treating diseases.
• Aristotle classified animals and plants, influencing future zoologists and botanists.

Roman Civilization

• Romans focused on practical applications of science for engineering, medicine, and governance.
• They built impressive domes, arches, and catapults using advanced physics and mathematics.
• Romans developed codified laws and agriculture techniques.

Roman Authors in Science

• Cato (b. 234 BCE): Wrote a treatise (De agricultura) on estate management, wine and oil production, and crop disease remedies.
• Varro (b. 116 BCE): Prolific scientific author whose Res Rusticae describes estate management; influenced Vitruvius, Pliny, Augustine, and Martianus Capella.
• Cicero (b. 106 BCE): Introduced Greek science to Latin; his philosophy influenced cosmology and physics.
• Julius Caesar (b. 100 BCE): Included geography in Gallic Wars; wrote a now-lost work on stars.
• Lucretius (b. c. 94 BCE): Wrote De rerum natura on atomist philosophy with interest in optics and biology.
• Nigidius (1st century BCE): Wrote on astronomy, zoology, weather, and human nature (fragments survive).
• Vitruvius (1st century BCE): Authored influential work "De architectura" explaining architecture, surveying, town planning, mathematics, principles of proportion, materials, and astronomy.
• Seneca: Studied meteorology, earthquakes, volcanoes, comets, and meteors in natural philosophy.
• Columella (b. 50 CE): Wrote a comprehensive manual on agricultural best practices in 12 books, covering viticulture, horticulture, animal husbandry, farm calendars, and villa layout.
• Marcus Manilius (1st century CE): Wrote five volumes on astrology called Astronomica.
• Pomponius Mela (1st century CE): Created survey of Mediterranean and North European geography.
• Aulus Cornelius Celsus (1st century CE): Compiled the encyclopedia De medicina, examining medical science, diet, therapy, and surgery.
• Scribonius Largus: Compiled handbook of medical remedies for gladiators.
• Pliny the Elder (b. c. 23 CE): Compiled 36-volume encyclopedia, Naturalis Historia, on the natural world with 20,000 facts.
• Frontinus (d. c. 103 CE): Composed works on military science and water systems of Rome.

Contributions of Modern Times

• Mass Production: Increased world population spurred efficient production methods, leading to industrialization.
• Advancements in Transportation: Mechanized vehicles replaced animal-powered machines, facilitating faster trade and travel.
• Communication & Computing: New technologies connected nations, improving business and governance efficiency.
• Industrialization & Challenges: Rapid growth created pollution, labor issues, and resource depletion.
• Health & Medicine: Food processing and medical advancements addressed health concerns from industrialization.