GSTS Compilation
GSTS Compilation
Observing landmarks or tracking the direction of the sun and stars were the early navigation strategies.
The major guiding point in the Northern Hemisphere was the brightest point in the night sky - the North Star.
During the day, ships were steered by the Moon's and Sun's astronomical positions.
Observations of animals' physical capabilities and adaptability to diverse activities led to the
development of animal-powered transportation in ancient times. Around 4000 BC, humans learned to
domesticate, harness, and train animals for transportation and trade. Animals, capable of traveling long
distances and carrying heavier loads, made travel and trade easier and more efficient, resulting in trails and
traces on the land
COMMUNICATION
Numerous discoveries and advancements made in antiquity significantly impacted how human cultures
communicated. The following are some significant findings about communication in prehistoric times: Stories,
wisdom, and information were passed down through generations long before writing was invented. Writing
systems' inventions transformed communication.
Bamboo slips
Bamboo and wooden slips have a long history in China since they were widely used as writing tools
before paper, and it is China's major document-producing materials by the Zhou Dynasty (c. 1046–256 BCE).
After the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BCE), these wooden inscriptions were described in some sources.
Bamboo and wooden slips had been used for writing for a long time before paper was made the standard
writing implement in the late Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420), coexisting with other writing implements such as
bronzeware, stone slabs, and silk. Bamboo and wooden slips were the most common writing instruments in the
past since they were simple to make and the raw materials weren't difficult to obtain. As a result, constant
access to it makes it simpler to utilize for living and documenting purposes.
Carrier Pigeons
By 3000 BC, Egypt used homing pigeons for pigeon posts, using the bird's unique ability to return to its
nest after being separated due to a highly developed sense of orientation. The pigeon was then released and
given messages tied around its legs so it could fly back to its original nest. Homing pigeons were widely utilized
for military communications during the 19th century.
The usage of flying messenger pigeons to announce the winner of the Ancient Olympics was well-established
as early as 3,000 years ago.
Smoke Signals
Around 900 BC, soldiers patrolling the Great Wall of China employed smoke signals for the first time. The
guards would light a fire and signal from tower to tower along the wall to warn the other soldiers further along
the wall of an approaching threat if an enemy was attacking or could be seen in the distance. They produced
thick smoke that could be seen from a distance using a mixture of wolf feces, saltpeter, and sulfur. They could
send a message up to 300 miles from tower to tower in just a few hours.
In the ancient times, walls served a great purpose by keeping intruders out of an area which should be
heavily guarded. As an extra layer of protection for a residence or rather the entire kingdom during the time.
Ancient walls were made of stone, brick, or any other material that has been "standing for a long time". It can
be found inside or surrounding a building, used for privacy, security, or enclosure. Since at least the ninth
millennium BC, ancient and even prehistoric peoples had tried to create safe areas by constructing city walls
as a way to protect their citizens.
These walls had simply prevented invasion, yet those early barriers didn't lessen violence during the time.
Because of this, the people of the ancient towns underwent alteration as a result of the security provided by
walls until such time that they grew accustomed to the peace it brought to them. Walls were used on smaller
scales throughout the ancient world to keep out unwanted visitors, or more likely, folks with pillaging. The Great
Wall of China is the best illustration of how a wall may be used to deter nefarious outsiders from invading.
People have been building walls since the tenth millennium B.C. where ancient walls were built primarily for
defensive purposes.
The relevance of these walls today are built more and more to prevent immigration, terrorism, or the
flow of illegal drugs while still having the common connection, which is the idea of keeping outsiders out,
helping civilizations thrive. Nowadays, the concept of using walls or fences is still significant in the way we
design and portray a property, especially in relaying a residence where walls bound the components in order
to be a house, encasing the interior elements .
MASS PRODUCTION
Mass production, as we understand it today, was not a common practice in ancient times due to the limitations
of technology, infrastructure, and labor practices. However, there were instances where certain products were
produced on a larger scale than typical craft production. Here are a few examples:
Roman Empire and Pottery: The ancient Romans developed techniques for mass-producing pottery. They
established pottery workshops that produced standardized forms of pottery such as amphorae, used for storing
and transporting goods like wine and olive oil. These workshops utilized molds and specialized workers to create
large quantities of pottery.
Ancient Chinese Metalwork: In ancient China, during the Han Dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE), there were workshops
dedicated to producing various items such as bronze mirrors and coins. The manufacturing process involved
the use of molds, which allowed for the production of standardized items in larger quantities.
Textiles in Ancient India: In the Indian subcontinent, especially during the Indus Valley Civilization (circa
3300–1300 BCE), evidence suggests that textiles were produced on a larger scale. Archaeological findings
indicate the use of advanced tools for spinning and weaving, which could have facilitated a certain level of
mass production compared to earlier periods.
Shipbuilding in the Ancient Mediterranean: Ancient civilizations such as the Phoenicians and Greeks engaged
in shipbuilding on a relatively larger scale. While each ship was still handcrafted, standardized designs and
construction methods were used to build fleets of ships for trade and military purposes.
Egyptian Monument Construction: The construction of ancient Egyptian monuments like the pyramids involved
large-scale labor efforts. While not exactly mass production in the modern sense, the organization and
coordination of thousands of laborers for extended periods allowed for the creation of monumental structures.
Mass production practices in ancient Philippines
Pottery: Ancient Filipinos engaged in pottery-making, creating various types of vessels for cooking, storage, and
trade. Archaeological evidence suggests that some communities produced pottery on a larger scale using
techniques like coiling, molding, and firing. This could be seen as a rudimentary form of mass production, where
standardized pottery forms were created for utilitarian purposes.
Metalwork: Some pre-colonial Filipino societies were skilled in metalwork, including goldsmithing, silversmithing,
and blacksmithing. While not exactly mass production, skilled craftsmen in these communities might have
produced metal objects for trade or ceremonial purposes in larger quantities than individual craftspersons
working in isolation.
Textiles: Weaving was a significant craft in many ancient Filipino communities. While each textile might have
been handwoven, certain communities could have specialized in producing textiles, and these textiles might
have been produced in larger quantities for trade and social exchanges.
Boatbuilding: The ancient Filipinos were skilled seafarers and boatbuilders. While each boat might have been
crafted individually, the standardized designs and methods used in boat construction could be considered a
form of mass production at that time, allowing communities to create fleets of boats for fishing, trade, and
travel.
REFERENCES:
National Geographic Society (May, 2022)
https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/transportation-infrastructure/?fbclid=IwAR3yvZxwa945OQZ
yEuqGzTu5utoWgLU1JdBX30oP3kwPHqQZ_Mq0T94kZCE
Max Polyakov (February, 2022). The Science of Finding Our Way: A Brief History of the Origins of Navigation
https://maxpolyakov.com/brief-history-of-the-origins-of-navigation/?fbclid=IwAR2qkIKeVAVDqF0UTsowAdWjZW
NAZl8SsSwXM4su_I1OgJIFIOb1VdLduF8#:~:text=Navigation%20by%20the%20stars%3A%20astrolabes%20and%20s
extants&text=The%20location%20of%20celestial%20bodies,the%20Moon%20and%20the%20Sun
Laboratory, N. H. M. F. (n.d.). Early Chinese Compass – 400 BC - Magnet Academy. Nationalmaglab.org.
https://nationalmaglab.org/magnet-academy/history-of-electricity-magnetism/museum/early-chinese-compa
ss-400-bc/
(2021). Twinkl.com.ph. https://www.twinkl.com.ph/teaching-wiki/transportation
Asia for Educators, Columbia University. (n.d.). The Song Dynasty in China | Asia for Educators.
http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/songdynasty-module/econ-rev-iron-steel.html
Administrator. (2020, January 17). Part 1: Mass Production in the Ancient World. BOE.
https://www.bid-on-equipment.com/blog/post/part-1-mass-production-in-the-ancient-world
Elena, & Elena. (2013, November 13). TEXTILES OF INDIA IN ANCIENT TIMES. -
http://arthistorysummerize.info/textiles-india-ancient-times/
Reyes, M. G. (2022). Philippine Pottery: Its Origins, Influences, And What It Is Today. Tatler Asia.
https://www.tatlerasia.com/lifestyle/arts/shaping-hands-philippine-pottery-in-the-modern-age
Abrera, M. B. L. (2018). Boat building tradition in the Philippines (10th–16th centuries). In THE SEA IN HISTORY (pp.
904–917). https://doi.org/10.1017/9781782049104.076