Ancient Civilizations: Sumerians and Babylonians

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Questions and Answers

What was one of the key contributions of field doctors during warfare?

They performed surgical operations in the battlefield.

They designed prosthetics for injured soldiers.

They developed advanced anesthesia techniques.

They improved sanitation in military camps. (correct)

What material was used in the construction of Roman concrete that allowed it to withstand the test of time?

Sand and gravel

Lime and volcanic rock (correct)

Cement and clay

Brick and mortar

What is the Chinese name for the abacus, which signifies 'calculating tray'?

Biao

Nian

Suanpan (correct)

Gui

Which of the following inventions was among the Four Great Inventions of ancient China?

Papermaking Signup and view all the answers

What roles did the asu and asipu play in Sumerian medicine?

The asu focused on therapeutic medicine and the asipu on religious medicine Signup and view all the answers

During which dynasty did the first navigational compasses evolve in China?

Han dynasty Signup and view all the answers

What ancient technology was developed in China in the 7th century that involved the use of woodblocks?

Mechanical woodblock printing Signup and view all the answers

What significant agricultural innovation did the Sumerians develop to manage water supply?

A system of artificial irrigation with canals and shadufs Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary use of the two-wheeled chariot developed by the Sumerians?

For ceremonial purposes and military use Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary function of kites in ancient Chinese military practices?

Signal warnings Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Sumerians' invention of the plow?

It was critical for enhancing agricultural productivity Signup and view all the answers

What was the original function of a sundial in ancient China?

To determine seasons Signup and view all the answers

In Sumerian construction, what material was primarily used to create bricks?

Clay Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following items did the Sumerians create using metallurgy?

Copper tools such as razors and chisels Signup and view all the answers

What type of boat did the Sumerians invent?

Simple wooden boats for carrying goods and people Signup and view all the answers

How did the Sumerians control the temperature in their furnaces?

With bellows operated by hands or feet Signup and view all the answers

What significant mathematical concept did the Babylonians develop?

Positional number system based on 60 Signup and view all the answers

Which structure is associated with the Babylonians?

Hanging Gardens of Babylon Signup and view all the answers

In which area did the Sumerians not make significant advancements compared to the Babylonians?

Medicine Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the major contributions of the Egyptians around 3000 BC?

Discovery of bronze making Signup and view all the answers

Which civilization is credited with creating the Code of Hammurabi?

Babylonians Signup and view all the answers

What structure did the Sumerians develop that displayed their architectural skills?

Ziggurats Signup and view all the answers

How did the Sumerians approach healing compared to the Babylonians?

Relying more on religious rituals Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following inventions is uniquely attributed to the Egyptians?

The plow Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary use of the hourglass for sailors?

To mark the passage of time for determining longitude Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant advantage of hourglasses over water clocks aboard ships?

Hourglasses were not affected by the ship's rocking motion Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of distillation in the production of liquor?

To separate different liquids within a mixture Signup and view all the answers

Which invention is credited to Johannes Gutenberg?

The printing press Signup and view all the answers

What notable discovery did Galileo make using his telescope?

Four moons orbiting Jupiter Signup and view all the answers

Who were the inventors of the first microscope?

Hans and Zacharias Janssen Signup and view all the answers

How did the printing press influence the spread of knowledge?

By enabling industrial-scale printing of books and pamphlets Signup and view all the answers

What factor contributed to the rise of eyeglasses in the 13th century?

A growing population with poor eyesight Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary function of the Videophone invented by Gregorio Zara?

To provide visual and audio communication Signup and view all the answers

Which Filipino invention is described as the most common form of transportation today?

Jeepney Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the Pili Seal developed by Engr. Mark Kennedy E. Bantugon?

To serve as a sustainable sealant and flame retardant Signup and view all the answers

Which Mesoamerican civilization is known for prioritizing architecture and astronomy?

Aztec Signup and view all the answers

The Salamander is particularly designed for which type of environment?

Flooded areas Signup and view all the answers

During which period did the Mesoamerican hunter-gatherer culture transition towards agriculture?

Archaic Period Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following modern-day countries was NOT part of the Inca Empire at its height?

Costa Rica Signup and view all the answers

What significant architectural feature did the Olmec civilization contribute to Mesoamerica?

Colossal stone heads Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Sumerian Civilization

Developed the first writing system, cuneiform, which used wedge-shaped marks pressed into clay tablets
Made advancements in mathematics and astronomy
Had a base 60 system (60 seconds in a minute, 60 minutes in an hour, 360 degrees in a circle)
Created addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
Developed two types of medicine: therapeutic (asu) and religious (asipu)
Developed artificial irrigation systems, including canals and shadufs
Invented the chariot, plow, and mass-produced bricks
Advanced metallurgy and used copper to make various tools and art pieces
Built simple wooden boats for transport
Developed significant advancements in mathematics, especially with the creation of the concept of zero
Constructed ziggurats (stepped pyramids)

Babylonian Civilization

Continued Sumerian advancements in mathematics, engineering, architecture, and medicine.
Used a positional number system based on 60.
Made progress in algebra, geometry and arithmetic
Continued to build cities and develop complex irrigation systems
Constructed large-scale structures, like the Hanging Gardens of Babylon
Made significant contributions to medicine by documenting various diseases and developing remedies
Developed the Code of Hammurabi, one of the earliest legal codes

Ancient Egyptian Technology and Inventions

Made significant advancements in various fields, including mathematics, geometry, surveying, astronomy, medicine, metallurgy, and agriculture
Discovered bronze by mixing copper and tin ore around 3000 BC
Developed surgical techniques, including the use of arterial surgical clamps and tourniquets
Invented the ramp, lever, plow, and mills for grinding grains

Chinese Civilization

Invented the abacus, sundial, and Kongming lantern
Developed four great inventions: the compass, gunpowder, papermaking, and printing
Advanced knowledge in silk working, magnetism, and porcelain
Invented kites for signaling warnings and umbrellas for sun and rain protection
Used herbs for medicinal purposes

The Compass

First compasses were made of lodestone, a naturally magnetized stone of iron, in Han dynasty China
Used for land navigation in the mid-11th century, Song dynasty

Printing

Originated in China from ink rubbings made on paper or cloth from texts on stone tablets
Mechanical woodblock printing on paper began in China during the Tang dynasty

The Abacus

Chinese Abacus known as the Suanpan, meaning calculating tray

The Sundial

Originated from the gnomon, used to determine the seasons in Neolithic China
Made of two parts: erected pole called biao and horizontal template called gui

Hot Air Balloons

First evidence emerged from China in the 3rd century during the Warring States period

The Hour Glass

Used as a timekeeping device by sailors to determine their longitude
Preferred over water clocks because sand wasn't affected by the rocking motion of ships
Used ashore for various tasks like church services and work

Distillation

Used to produce liquor by separating different liquids within a mixture
Important technique used in science and industry

Eyeglasses/Spectacles

Developed by 13th-century Italians for people with poor eyesight
Early models were hand-held or pinched on the nose

Printing Press

Invented by Johannes Gutenberg from Mainland, Germany around 1440
Enabled industrial-scale printing, leading to the spread of knowledge and ideas

Telescope

Galileo's Telescopes were crude refracting telescopes that magnified 8x initially, but were soon refined to 20x
Used for observing celestial objects and resulted in the discovery of the moons of Jupiter

The Microscope

Invented by Hans and Zacharias Janssen, Dutch spectacle-makers
Robert Hooke's "Micrographia" illustrated various studies using the microscope

The Videophone

Invented by Gregorio Zara in 1955
Worked like a telephone with a camera, allowing visual communication
Similar technology implemented in modern web cameras

Mesoamerican Civilization

Emerged from the Archaic Period, moving from hunter-gatherer culture to agriculture
Consists of: Olmec, Maya, Aztec, Inca civilizations
The Inca Empire at its peak included modern-day Peru, western and south-central Bolivia, southwest Ecuador and Colombia, and a large portion of modern-day Chile
All civilizations had a focus on education, particularly in astronomy, philosophy, statesmanship, and engineering
Monumental architecture and pyramids were constructed by all civilizations

Mesoamerican Civilizations: Contribution Comparison Chart

Contribution	Olmec (around 1400 BC)	Aztec (1345 - 1521 CE)
Standardized education		Quality education consistent with the needs of the empire: astronomy, philosophy, statesmanship, and engineering, called the calmecac.
		Medicine, science, art, and philosophy were all very important to all three civilizations, but the greatest priorities were on astronomy and architecture.
Monumental architecture - buildings of immense size and scale	Large stone monuments (Colossal heads) and pyramids to honor their leaders and gods.

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Description

Test your knowledge of the Sumerian and Babylonian civilizations, which laid the foundations of writing, mathematics, and engineering. Explore their advancements, including cuneiform, irrigation systems, and the development of the chariot. This quiz covers key contributions that shaped human history.