MODULE3: ​Evidences of Science and Technology during Ancient Times

(3500 B.C. – 1200 in the Old World)

Content Standard:
The learners demonstrate an understanding of development of Science and Technology during the
Ancient times.

Learning Outcomes:
The students will be able to:
1. Describe the development of science and technology during ancient time;
2. Determine and recognize the significance and impact of the development of science and technology
during ancient times and its impact to society.

Word Bank:
Sumerian, clay tablet, cuneiform, Babylonian, Hammurabi, Egyptian, Hieroglyphics, embalming.

DISCUSSION

First civilizations emerged independent of one another along fertile river valleys in Mesopotamia
(Tigris-Euphrates), Egypt (Nile), China (Huang Ho valley), and India. People of each civilization developed
a unique way of life, religion, form of government, language and system of writing, arts and crafts,
advances of science and technology: astronomy, agriculture, medicine, mathematics, engineering, and
architecture. They grew plants and domesticated animals and settled down in places.

I. Sumerian civilization (Sumer, Mesopotamia (Iraq))

Location:​ ​Sumer ​was the southernmost region of ancient Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq and
Kuwait). It is cradle of the world’s ​earliest known civilization ​and was first established in the region
in about 3600 BC. It is also known as the ‘the first cities’ in the world. It transformed families into tribes
that occupied territories which soon became cities and later were called the states.
Science and Technology Development:

a. Cuneiform ​is the first writing system, it is a set of word pictures depicted in symbols made
of triangular marks around 3100 BC. Pictograms or drawings representing actual things
were the basis for cuneiform writing.

b. Sumerian clay tablet – ​contains the Sumerian historical information and culture. It began
as record keeping for trade and evolved into the use of symbols for writing down laws and
stories.

c. The concept of the wheel ​actually grew out of a mechanical device that the Sumerians had
invented shortly after 3500 B.C. – the potter’s wheel. This was a heavy flat disk made of
hardened clay. It was spun horizontally on an axis to allow the potter to form evenly. The
Sumerians simply turn this clay-splattered wheel on its end and hook it to a wagon to make
a wheel as a means of practical method for moving heavy objects from one location to
another.
d. Sailboat ​was also first invented by Ancient Mesopotamia. Five thousand years ago
Mesopotamians started using sailing boats. Since Mesopotamia was situated between two
famous rivers, namely the ​Euphrates and the ​Tigris, t​ hey needed water transportation for
travel and trade.

e. The Sumerians were among the ​first astronomers​, mapping the movement of stars,
planets and moon into sets of constellations, many of which survived in the zodiac and
were also recognized by the ancient Greeks.

f. Sumerians were also recognized for building the foundations of logic, mathematics,
engineering, architecture, agriculture, transportation and medicine;

g. Sexagesimal system ​of counting in units of 60 which served as the basis of 360 degree
circle and the 60 minute hour.
 h. Developed systematized technique of farming: seed plow and irrigation

i. Wool from sheep made into textiles, mastered the arts of bleaching and dyeing.

II. Babylonian Civilization

Location:​ Babylonia was the ancient region bordering the Tigris and Euphrates river (Iraq).
Babylon is the capital, and served as commercial and religious center in the Tigris-Euphrates valley.

Science and Technology Development:

a. Hammurabi ​(1792-1750 B.C.), the first leader of the old Babylonian Empire, promulgated
the famous ​law code ​that served as rule and standards which helped maintain a period
stability in this region, as well as the establishment of science and technology.

b. Nebuchadnezzar II ​was the Neo Babylonian Emperor who ordered the construction of the
famous “hanging Gardens of Babylons” (one of the seven wonders of the world) and the
Isthar Gate.
 c. Contributed to the development of science and technology such as: irrigation system of
canals flanked by earthen dikes; system of book keeping, double entry accounting,
multiplication and division tables and calculations using geometry.
d. Adopted the Sumerian Sexagesimal system of counting in units of 60; made accurate
predictions solar and lunar eclipses and other astronomical phenomena.

III. Egyptian Civilization

Location: Situated in the north eastern part of the African continent, Egypt is located along the ​Nile
River​ which provided a fertile delta

Science and Technology Development:

Ancient Egypt depended on the waters of the River Nile, which flows through harsh and arid
desert. The Nile River gave life to the civilization of Egypt. The early settlers were animal
hunters, they were nomadic. Later changed their lifestyle to be farmland settlers. Agriculture was
supported mainly by extensive irrigation system.

Ancient Egyptians learned to heat metal ore (copper, gold and bronze) and made weapons
and utensils. They may have been the first people to learn how to make glass (glass-blowing).
They learned how to heat sand in very hot furnace and then blow the molten sand into glass. They
made glass jars and glass beads.

Egyptian writing wrote with ink and brushes on paper made of ​papyrus​ reeds; their
writing was in the form of pictorial symbols known as ​hieroglyphics​. Their knowledge of human
anatomy, physiology, surgery and medical plants enable them to master the art and science of
embalming​ their dead.
 Created the calendar based on the phases of the moon, consisting of 29 and ½ days. The
first 365-day calendar was devised by IMHOTEP, early in the Old Kingdom. They were the first to
divide the day into 24 hours, calculated the time by means of water clock. Their interest in
Astronomy was focused on the stars and early calendar was based on the appearance and
disappearance of stars ​Sirius, the brightest in their horizons which coincide with the annual rise and
fall of the Nile River, ​help them forecast the seasons and predict the annual flooding on Nile River.

They were engaged in Pottery of various shapes and sizes artistically done such as pots, jar,
cups and bowls, they built houses made of sun dried mud bricks. Pyramids still stand today as the
monumental evidence of the scientific expertise and technical skills of the Egyptians in geometry,
engineering, architecture and labor management. Iconic monuments such as the ​Giza Necropolis and its
Great Sphinx, ​as well as the ​Ruins of Memphis, ​and the Valley of the Kings, reflect this legacy and
remain a significant focus of archaeological study. The Giza Necropolis is the oldest of the ancient
wonders and the only one still in existence.

The Egyptians also engaged in ship building; Construction of canals, dikes and ditches with
outlet system; Planted wheat, barley. Food was broiled, baked, stewed, fried, grilled or roasted.
They bred ducks, geese, pigs, goats, cattle and sheep; Manufactured soaps, creams, oil, perfumes
and eye make-up.

Wig Make up Ink

IV. Cretan (Minoan) Civilization

Location: ​arose on the island of Crete and other ​Aegean islands s​ uch as ​Santorini ​and flourished
from approximately 2600 to 1400 BC. It was rediscovered at the beginning of the 20​th​ century
through the work of British archaeologist ​Arthur Evans. W ​ ill Durant referred to it as “the first link
in the European chain.” ​Minoan civilization ​was an Aegean Bronze Age civilization, ruled by ​King
Minos. ​Knossos was the capital of Crete, the grandest site of Bronze age palaces, built between
2100 and 1575 B.C. Crete is a mountainous island with natural harbors located midway between
Turkey, Egypt and Greece.

Science and Technology Development:

The Minoans were primarily a mercantile people engaged in overseas trade. Their culture,
from 1700 BC onward, shows a high degree of organization. Many historians and archaeologists
believe that the Minoans were involved in the Bronze Age’s important in trade: tin, alloyed with
copper apparently from Cyprus. Crete became the central exporter of wine, oil, jewellery, and
highly crafted works; in turn, they became importers of raw materials and food. In the process
they built the first major navy ship in the world. Its primary purpose, however, was trade, not war
or conquest.

Minoans made sophisticated carved statues, ceramic, frescoes, jewels, and inscriptions on
these showed their knowledge of mathematics, engineering, and architecture which were applied
scientifically and artistically. They constructed well drainage system, public halls, courtyards, and
religious shrines. They were skilled in ship building.

The Minoan cities were connected with stone-paved roads, formed from blocks cut with
bronze saws. Streets were with good drainage and water and sewer facilities were available to the
upper class, through clay pipes. Houses built from sandstone, gypsum, or limestone often had flat
tiled roofs; plaster, wood, or flagstone floors, that stood two to three storeys high. Typically the
lower walls were constructed of stone and rubble, and the upper walls of mud brick. Ceiling
timbers held up the roofs.
 The Minoans raised cattle, sheep and goats and grew wheat, barley, lettuce, celery,
asparagus, carrots, peas, grapes, pears, figs, olives and poppies for poppy seed and perhaps opium.
The Minoans also domesticated bees.

They developed Mediterranean polyculture, the practice of growing more than one crop at
a time. Their more varied and healthy diet resulted in the growth of population. Theoretically this
method of farming would maintain the fertility of the soil, as well as offer protection against low
yields in any single crop.

Around 1600, B.C, Akrotiri was shaken by a violent earthquake. Sometime later, an
eruption occurred. The Theran eruption was one of the largest in human history – blasting more
than 10 million tons of ash, gas, and rock 25 miles into the atmosphere. Incredibly despite Crete’s
close proximity to the volcano, the debris from Thera largely missed the major Minoan towns. 50
years later the civilization was wiped out. Earthquakes and fires destroyed Knossos and the other
palaces and the towns were deserted.