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COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Department of Natural Sciences and
Mathematics

NAME OF THE Bachelor of Science in Psychology

PROGRAM
COURSE TITLE Science, Technology and COURSE CODE SCIE 101
Society
PREREQUISITE/ CO- None COURSE UNIT 3 units
REQUISITE
COURSE OUTCOME Develop understanding on the major developments in the
history of science and technology to understand how
innovation occur in different early civilizations
MODULE 1 General Concepts and Science, Technology and Society
Historical Developments
LESSON LEARNING After successful completion of this module, students should be
OUTCOME/S able to:
a. Organize visual representations showing scientific and
technological innovations made by early civilizations to
make their daily activities easier.
b. Discuss how early scientific and technological
developments affect our society
TOPICS Early Science and Technology in Sumeria and Babylonia
Early Science and Technology in Egypt
Early Science and Technology in Hittite, Lydia, and Phoenicia
Early Science and Technology in Greece
Early Science and Technology in Rome and China
Science and technology during the Medieval Ages
WEEK / INCLUSIVE Week 2 (January 20 – 22, 2025)
DATE Week 3 (January 27 – 29, 2025)
Week 4 (February 3 – 6, 2025)
MODALITY

▪ LESSON PROPER

MODULE 1

LESSON 1
HISTORICAL ANTECEDENTS IN THE COURSE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

EARLY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN SUMERIA AND BABYLONIA

Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:
1. Organize visual representations showing scientific and technological innovations made
by early civilizations to make their daily activities easier.
2. Discuss how early scientific and technological developments affect our society.
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COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Department of Natural Sciences and
Mathematics

Introduction
Science may be defined as the system of knowledge of the natural world gained through
the scientific method. It was originally called “philosophy of the natural world” since it stemmed
from the ancient Greeks’ desire to know about nature. Thus, the first scientists were called
“philosophers of nature.” They sought to discover the truth behind materials and natural things. It
was the task of the philosophers of nature to observe the world and beyond, and to discover what
makes materials the same and what makes them different.
In their quest for understanding the natural world, the ability to name and classify the
objects found in nature was seen as the first step towards knowledge. Thus, the scientific search
for truth early on recognized the usefulness of language and the ability it gave to describe, classify,
and explain the different objects of study.
Meanwhile, the term technology comes from Greek words “tekhne” meaning “art or craft”
and – logia, meaning a “subject or interest.” Taken together, the term has come to mean “practical
applications of what we know about nature” using scientific principles for the betterment of the
human situation.
Science and technology indeed play major roles in the everyday life. They make difficult
and complicated tasks easier and allow people to do more with so little effort and time. The
developments in this field are not just products of people’s imagination or a one-time thought
process; they are also brought about by gradual improvements to earlier works from different time
periods. The driving force behind this continuous progress is the desire to raise the quality of life
of the people.
In the ancient times, people were concerned with transportation and navigation,
communication and record-keeping, mass production, security and protection, as well as health,
aesthetics, and architecture (McNamara, Valverde and Beleno (2018). Science, Technology and
Society).

The Ancient Times

About 5,000 years ago, civilization began in four great river valleys, in Africa and Asia.
The earliest civilizations were in Mesopotamia and Egypt. People in those lands built cities,
developed organized religion and government and learned specialized skills and jobs. Most
important, in terms of history, they began to write and keep records. Other peoples of the
ancient Near East made important new contributions in government, religion, and science and
technology (Perry (1989). A History of the World).

Civilization Begins in Mesopotamia

The earliest of the river valley civilizations developed in Mesopotamia, the region between
the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers. The Greeks gave this land the name Mesopotamia, which
means “between rivers.” Today it is the country of Iraq. Mesopotamia was part of the Fertile
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Department of Natural Sciences and
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Crescent, a great arc of fertile land stretching from the Persian Gulf to the eastern shore of the
Mediterranean Sea (Perry (1989). A History of the World).

Table 1. Sumerian Civilization Contributions in the Development of Science and Technology

Contribution Illustration
Cuneiform
➢ One of the major contributions of the Sumerians is the
development of the first writing system.
➢ It is a system that utilizes word pictures and triangular symbols
which are carved on clay using wedge instruments and then
left to dry.
➢ It allowed the Sumerians to keep records of things with great
historical value or their everyday life.
Fig. 1.bp.blogspot.com

The Great Ziggurat of Ur

➢ It is an engineering and architectural feat of the Sumerians.
➢ It is also called the “mountain of god”.
➢ This structure was constructed using sun-baked bricks.
➢ It served as the sacred place of their chief god, where only
their priests were allowed to enter.
➢ This structure showcases the remarkable technology used to
build it.
➢ Even until today, people still enjoy and marvel at the preserved
Great Ziggurat of Ur.
Fig. 2. www.google.com.ph

Irrigation and Dikes

➢ The Sumerian created dikes and irrigation canals to bring
water to farmlands and at the same time control the flooding
of the rivers.
➢ This method was considered as one of the world’s most
beneficial engineering works.
➢ Through the dikes and canals, the Sumerians were able to
enjoy year-long farming and harvesting, which increased their
food production. Fig. 3. www.google.com.ph

Sailboats
➢ At that time, the wheel was not yet invented; the main mode of
transportation was through waterways such as rivers and
seas.
➢ Boats were used to carry large quantities of products and were
able to cover large distances.

Fig. 4. www.google.com.ph
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Department of Natural Sciences and
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➢ Some sources attribute to the Sumerians the invention of

sailboats to address their increasing demands.
➢ Sailboats were essential in transportation and trading as well
as in fostering culture, information and technology.
Wheel
➢ In the latter part of the Sumerians’ history, they were able to
invent the wheel since the specialized tools needed to create
it were already available.
➢ The first wheels were not made for transportation but for farm
work and food processes.
➢ With the use of wheel and axle, mass production was made
easier.
➢ Farmers were able to mill grains with less effort in less time Fig. 5. www.google.com.ph

The Plow
➢ Another farm technology invented by the Mesopotamians is
the plow. Humans evolved from being food gatherers to farm
cultivators.
➢ The plow was invented to dig the earth in a faster pace.
➢ With this tool, farmers could cultivate larger parcels of land
faster, enabling them to mass produce food without taking so
much effort and time.
Fig. 6. www.google.com.ph

Roads
➢ In order to facilitate faster and easier travel, the Sumerians
developed the first roads.
➢ They made the roads with the same technology they used in
making sun-baked bricks that they laid down on the ground.
➢ They later poured bitumen, a black sticky substance similar to
asphalt, to smoothen the roads.
➢ This invention was very useful especially during the rainy
season.
Fig. 7. www.google.com.ph

Babylonian Civilization
Babylonian civilization emerged near the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. It is located about
60 miles (100 kilometers) south of Baghdad in modern-day Iraq, the ancient city of Babylon served
for nearly two millennia as center of Mesopotamian civilization. The Babylonians were great
builders, engineers and architects. One of the great accomplishments, if the ancient stories are
true, is the construction of the Hanging Gardens, a wonder of the ancient world, which some
believe was built by the biblical king Nebuchadnezzar II for his wife Queen Amytis.
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Fig. 8. www.google.com.ph
The ancient scientists who lived in the city made important discoveries in mathematics,
physics and astronomy. Among their many accomplishments, they developed trigonometry, used
mathematical models to track the planet Jupiter and developed methods of tracking time that are
still used today. Ancient Babylonian records are still used by modern-day astronomers to study
how the rotation of the Earth has changed (www.livescience.com).
Michael Seymour, a research associate at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, writes in his
book “Legend, History and the Ancient City of Babylon” (I.B. Tauris, 2014) that an irrigation system
that distributed from the Euphrates and Tigris rivers had to be used to grow crops. Once
established, however, such a system could reap the benefit of rich alluvial soils and support
extremely productive agriculture on the levees of canals.

Fig. 9. www.google.com.ph Fig. 10. www.google.com.ph

Hanging Garden of Babylon Tower of Babel

▪ REFERENCE

Perry, M. (1989). A history of the world. Houghton Mifflin Company. USA

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COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Department of Natural Sciences and
Mathematics

LESSON 2
HISTORICAL ANTECEDENTS IN THE COURSE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

EARLY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN EGYPT

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:

1. Enhance ability to gain knowledge on the interaction between science and technology
throughout history;

2. Trace back the development of science and technology in ancient Egypt; and

3. Recognize important contributions of ancient Egypt in science and technology.

Introduction
Ancient Egypt is a land of mysteries. No other civilization has so captured the imagination
of scholars and laypeople alike. Mystery surrounds its origins, its religion and its monumental
architecture: colossal temples, pyramids and the enormous Sphinx. The Egyptian pyramids are
the most famous of all the ancient monuments, the only remaining wonder of the seven wonders
of the ancient worlds.

While much of the world was living in primitive conditions, the ancient Egyptians were
inventing writing and advancing the sciences of mathematics, medicine and astronomy. They
developed ways to measure time and distances, and applied their knowledge to monumental
architecture.

Today, Egyptian archaeologists are still making important discoveries, and the scientific
study of royal mummies is shedding new light on the genealogy of the pharaohs. The ongoing
deciphering of hieroglyphics writings and research on the life of the peasants are also answering
many questions related to the evolution of the Egyptian culture. The pharaonic religion gives the
impression that the Egyptians were preoccupied with death; however there are ample indications
that they were a happy lot who knew how to enjoy life.

Egyptian Civilization
Another early civilization famous for its legacy is the Egyptian civilization located in North
Africa. Many stories tell about the engineering feats of the Egyptians especially regarding the
infrastructures established by the pharaohs. Aside from engineering technology, the Egyptians
have contributed other practical things that the world now considers as essential. It is thus safe
to say that the pyramids are not the only contributions of the Egyptian civilization to the modern
world.
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Department of Natural Sciences and
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Table 1. Egyptian Civilization Contributions in the Development of Science and Technology

Contribution Illustration
Handheld Mirror
➢ The simple handheld mirror one finds so
commonplace in the present day was created by
the Egyptians.
➢ These were often decorated with inscriptions
and figures, such as that of the protector-
god Bes, and were owned by men
and women alike.
➢ More ornate wall mirrors were also a part of
middle- and upper-class homes and were
likewise decorated.
➢ The ancient Egyptians were very aware of their
self-image and personal hygiene and
appearance was an important value. Fig. 11. The Trustees of the British Museum
Toothpaste
➢ Toothpaste was made of rock salt, mint, dried
iris petals, and pepper, according to one recipe
from the 4th century CE (Common Era), which
dentists in 2003 CE tried and found to be quite
effective (although it made their gums bleed).
➢ Another earlier recipe suggested ground-up ox
hooves and ash, which, mixed with one's saliva,
created a cleansing paste for the teeth.
➢ This recipe, lacking the mint, did nothing for
one's breath and so tablets were created from
spices like cinnamon and frankincense heated
in a honey mixture, which became the world's
first breath mints. Fig. 12. www.google.com.ph

Toothbrushes
➢ Toothbrushes and toothpaste were invented
because of the grit and sand which found its
way into the bread and vegetables of the daily
meals.
➢ The image presented in the modern day by art
and movies of Egyptians with exceptionally
white teeth is misleading; dental problems were
common in ancient Egypt, and few, if any, had
an all-white smile. Fig. 13. www.google.com.ph
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➢ Dentistry developed to deal with these

difficulties but never seems to have advanced at
the same rate as other areas of medicine. While
it appears doctors were fairly successful in their
techniques, dentists were less so.
➢ To cite only one example, the
queen Hatshepsut (1479-1458 BCE) actually
died from an abscess following a tooth
extraction.
Paper or Papyrus
➢ One of the earlier contributions of the Egyptian
civilization was the paper or papyrus.
➢ Papyrus was a plant that grow abundantly along
the Nile River.
➢ The invention of paper was a major
accomplishment in Egyptian record-keeping and
communications.
➢ People then were able to send letters or
correspondences anywhere in the world.
➢ Documents would not take huge storage
spaces.
➢ It was easier to keep them away from raiders
who often destroyed records of the nations they
invaded. Fig. 14. www.google.com.ph

Ox-drawn plow
➢ Among the many inventions or innovations of
the ancient Egyptians was the ox-drawn plow
and improvements in irrigation.
➢ The ox-drawn plow was designed in two
gauges: heavy and light. The heavy plow went
first and cut the furrows while the lighter plow
came behind turning up the earth.
➢ Once the field was plowed then workers with
hoes broke up the clumps of soil and sowed the
rows with seed. To press the seed into the
furrows, livestock was driven across the
field and the furrows were closed. Fig. 15. The Trustees of the British Museum
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Irrigation
➢ Egyptian irrigation techniques were so effective
they were implemented by the cultures
of Greece and Rome.
➢ New irrigation techniques were introduced
during the Second Intermediate Period by the
people known as the Hyksos, who settled in
Avaris in Lower Egypt, and the Egyptians
improved upon them; notably through the
expanded use of the canal.
➢ The yearly inundation of the Nile overflowing its
banks and depositing rich soil throughout the
valley was essential to Egyptian life but irrigation
canals were necessary to carry water to outlying
farms and villages as well as to maintain even
saturation of crops near the river. Fig. 16. www.google.com.ph

Ink
➢ The Egyptians invented the ink by combining
soot with different chemicals to produce inks of
different colors.
➢ The ink must withstand the elements of nature
since it was used to record history, culture and
codified laws.
➢ It must also be tamper-proof so that people
could not simply tinker with those written down
by authorities.
Fig. 17. www.google.com.ph

Hieroglyphics
➢ Like the Sumerians, the Egyptians also
developed a system of writing using symbols,
the hieroglyphics.
➢ The Egyptians believed that this writing system
was provided to them by their gods.
➢ This form of writing can still be seen today and
was the language that tells the modern world of
the history and culture of the ancient Egyptians. Fig. 18. www.google.com.ph
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Cosmetics
➢ Cosmetics in the ancient Egypt was used for
both health and aesthetic reasons.
➢ Egyptians wore Kohl around the eyes to prevent
and even cure eye diseases. Kohl was created
by mixing soot or malachite with mineral galena.
➢ Egyptians also believed that a person wearing
make-up was protected from evil and that
beauty was a sign of holiness.
Fig. 19. www.google.com.ph

Wig
➢ During the ancient Egyptian times, wigs were
worn for health and wellness rather than for
aesthetic purposes.
➢ The wigs were used to protect the shaved
heads of the wealthy Egyptians from the harmful
rays of the sun.
➢ It was considered cleaner than natural hair
because it prevented the accumulation of head
lice. Fig. 20. www.google.com.ph

Water Clock or Clepsydra

➢ This device utilizes gravity that affects the flow
of water from one vessel to the other.
➢ The amount of water remaining in the device
determines how much time has elapsed since it
is full. In the process, time is measured.
➢ The water clock was widely used as a
timekeeping device during the ancient times. Fig. 21. www.google.com.ph

Pyramids
➢ Pharaohs of the Old Kingdom has immense
pyramids built to serve as their tombs.
➢ These demanded not only the greatest skills of
Egypt’s architects and engineers but also the
labor of thousands of workers.

Fig. 22. www.google.com.ph

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Obelisks
➢ The creation of an obelisk, for example, seems
to have always involved the exact same
procedure performed in precisely the same way.
➢ The quarrying and transport of obelisks are well
documented (though how the immense
monuments were raised is not) and shows a
strict adherence to a standard procedure. Fig. 23.by Dennis Jarvis (CC BY-SA)

Embalming (Mummification)
➢ The bodies of people who had died were
carefully preserved before their burial.
Chemicals were used to dry out or mummify the
body.
➢ The mummy was then painted, wrapped in fine
linen, and adorned with jewelry.
➢ Egyptian embalmers were so skillful that
modern archaeologists have found mummies
that still have hair, skin and teeth after
thousands of years of burial. Fig. 24. www.google.com.ph

Medicine
➢ Medicine in ancient Egypt was intimately tied to
magic. The three best-known works dealing with
medical issues. of medical knowledge.
➢ The Ebers Papyrus is a text of 110 pages
treating ailments such as trauma, cancer, heart
disease, depression, dermatology,
gastrointestinal distress, and many others.
➢ The Edwin Smith Papyrus is the oldest known
work on surgical techniques and is thought to
have been written for triage surgeons in field
hospitals. This work shows detailed knowledge
of anatomy and physiology.
➢ The London Medical Papyrus combines
practical medical skill with magical spells for the
treatment of conditions ranging from eye
problems to miscarriages. Fig. 25. The Trustees of the British Museum
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Dentistry

➢ Based on the evidence of mummies who have

been examined, as well as letters and other
documents, ancient Egyptians seem to have
experienced fairly severe and widespread dental
problems.
➢ Dentistry does not seem to have evolved at the
same pace as other branches of medicine but
still was more advanced and showed a greater
knowledge of dealing with oral pain than later
remedies practiced by other cultures.
Fig. 26. www.google.com.ph
➢ The first known dental procedure dates to
14,000 years ago in Italy, according to evidence
published in 2015 CE, but the first dentist in the
world known by name was the Egyptian Hesyre
(c. 2660 BCE) who held the position of Chief of
Dentists and Physician to the King during the
reign of Djoser (c. 2670 BCE) showing that
dentistry was considered an important practice
as early as Djoser's reign and probably earlier.
➢ This being so, it is unclear why dental practices
did not evolve to the same degree as other
medical fields.

▪ REFERENCES

Brier, B & Hobbs, H. (2013). Ancient Egypt: Everyday Life in the Land of the Nile. Sterling
Bunson, M.(1991). The Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt. Gramercy Books.
David, R. (2007). Handbook to Life in Ancient Egypt Revised. Oxford University Press
James, G. (2014). Stolen Legacy: The Egyptian Origins of Western Philosophy. CreateSpace
Independent Publishing Platform
Lewis, J. E. (2003). The Mammoth Book of Eyewitness Ancient Egypt. Running Press
McNamara, SJ, D.J.(2018). Science, technology and society. Quezon City:
C&E Publishing, Inc.
Perry, M. (1989). A history of the world. Houghton Mifflin Company. USA
Shaw, I. (2016). The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt. Oxford
Wilkinson, R. H. (2000). The Complete Temples of Ancient Egypt. Thames & Hudson
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Department of Natural Sciences and
Mathematics

LESSON 3
HISTORICAL ANTECEDENTS IN THE COURSE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

EARLY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN HITTITE, LYDIA, AND PHOENICIA

Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:
1. Organize visual representations showing scientific and technological innovations made
by early civilizations to make their daily activities easier.
2. Discuss how early scientific and technological developments affect our society.

Introduction

Other Near Eastern Peoples Make Contributions to Science and Technology

Where Europe and Asia meet, at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea, is the
peninsula of Asia Minor. Since ancient times this peninsula and the coast of it have been a
crossroads for traders, nomadic herders, and invading armies. Many different peoples migrated
to this region, and some settled there. In ancient times, the peoples of this area included Hittites,
Lydians, and Phoenicians. Each of these peoples made important contributions to civilization.

The Hittites

The Hittites were shepherds from the north near the Caspian Sea and Black Sea. These
Indo-European speaking people established their primary cities along the Halys River and called
their home the “land of the Hatti” and their capital city is Hattusas. Hittite means “people of Hatti.
The Hittites conquered Babylonia and extended their empire by conquering Syria and Egypt.

Here are some interesting facts about the Hittites

1. The Hittites were the first to discover and use iron.
2. The crime of rebellion had the heaviest penalty of all crimes.
3. The Hittites worshipped many gods and goddesses.
4. Their leader is called “Great King” or “Great Sun”. He is the military leader as well as the
religious leader.
5. All citizens under the jurisdiction of the Hittite Empire have rights. Even slaves had the right to
own properties.
6. The Hittites used 9 languages within their territories. The Akkadian language is used for
communication while the Sumerian language is used for literature.
7. They attain economic prosperity because of iron and they regarded iron five times more
precious than gold and 8 times more precious than silver.
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8. They subdued and conquered many territories because of their superior weapons made of
iron.
9. Agriculture was the main livelihood of the Hittite people.
10. They domesticated horses, cows and raised honey bee.
11. The Hittites planted grapes, apple, pomegranate, trigo and barley.
12. The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations houses the richest collection of Hittite and Anatolian
artifacts. It is located in Ankara, Turkey.
13. The Hittites were mentioned several times in the Bible.

Contribution of the Hittites to the World

➢ Discovery of iron
➢ Used of iron as weapons
➢ Usage and respect of different languages
➢ Land titles and list of titles
➢ Inventory of land and products that became the basis of taxation

The Lydians Introduce the Use of Coins

The Lydians of Northern Asia Minor began the use of coins in trade. Gold, silver or a
mixture of both metals was formed into disks of equal weight. Stamped into the metal of the coin
were its value and a symbol that showed government authority and approval. Official Lydian
coinage was in use by about 560 B.C. during the reign of Croesus.

Contributions of Lydian Empire

➢ The Lydians were the first to use metallic coinage.
➢ They made a major contribution to development of human civilization by introducing
money.
➢ They established permanent retail shops.
➢ Invention of money accelerated economic activities of the ancient world.
➢ Coinage helped to make commerce easier in the ancient world.
➢ The first coins created by the Lydians were about the size of a bean.
➢ Merchants used tablets as similar to contemporary CREDIT CARDS. These tablets, as
the foregoer of modern credit cards, were used in Western Anatolian territories 2500
years ago. A merchant holding such a tablet used to show this while purchasing bulk
amount of goods in leading cities. There was a note on the tablets, stating “holder of this
tablet is a well-known and trusted merchant of our kingdom. His commercial activity is
approved by the King. He could purchase goods to pay the cost later.” These tablets
were also under state warranty.
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➢ Ruins and archeological findings in Sardis reveal that the first ever open market of
history was established by Lydians. Having bulk amount of gold.
➢ Jewelery shops were opened at places closer to gold mines.
➢ Perfumes were sold in all Aegean region, in vases called “Lydion”.
➢ Persian King Darius started the construction of a road to facilitate communication and
transportation between Persepolis and Lydain capital Sardis. The road is 2699km long.
There were stations to change horse at every 28 km., where reserve horses were kept.
This road, named as Royal Road was used as a trade road.
➢ Ruins of this road, considered as the oldest highway of the road could be seen in Sardis,
at some places near Kütahya and Afyonkarahisar, and in Ballıhisar (Pessinus) near
Sivrihisar.

Phoenicians Seafarers Spread Ideas

Southeast of Asia Minor, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea, was the land
of Phoenicia. Phoenicians were sailors, shipbuilders and merchants. The Phoenicians were also
the first to make objects of clear glass. Another famous product was cloth dyed a deep purple.
The dye was obtained from seashells and cost so much to produce that only the wealthy could
afford garments dyed with “royal purple” (Perry (1989). A History of the World).

▪ REFERENCE

Perry, M. (1989). A history of the world. Houghton Mifflin Company. USA

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COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Department of Natural Sciences and
Mathematics

LESSON 4
HISTORICAL ANTECEDENTS IN THE COURSE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

EARLY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN GREECE

Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:

1. Enhance ability to gain knowledge on the interaction between science and technology
throughout history;

2. Trace back the development of science and technology in ancient Greece; and

3. Recognize important contributions of ancient Greece in science and technology.

Introduction
Building on the discoveries and knowledge of civilizations in Egypt and Mesopotamia,
among others, the Ancient Greeks developed a sophisticated philosophical and scientific culture.
The Greeks made a major contribution to Mathematics and Science. We owe our basic
ideas about geometry and the concept of mathematical proofs to ancient Greek mathematicians
such as Pythagoras, Euclid, and Archimedes. Some of the first astronomical models were
developed by Ancient Greeks trying to describe planetary movement, the Earth’s axis and the
heliocentric system – a model that places the sun at the center of the solar system. Hippocrates,
another ancient Greek, is the most famous physician in antiquity.
25 Things Many Don’t Realize were Invented by the Ancient Greeks
Contribution Illustration
1. Anchor
Anchors of huge stones have been around since the
Bronze Age, but the Hellens were the first to solve the problem in a
technological manner. Most often these anchors–often referred to
‘teeth’ (ὀδὁντες, dentes) in Hellenic poetry–consisted of sacks or
buckets which were filled with stones, although later versions were
made of stone and already had the shape of anchors so well know
today. Every ship had several anchors.
Fig. 27. Wikimedia Commons

2. Alarm Clock
The ancient Greek philosopher Plato (428–348 BC) was
most likely the first to possess an alarm clock. It was a water clock of
some design that, when having counted to the desired time, played
something with the sound of a water organ. Ctesibius (285–222 BC)
had a device which would drop balls of some sort onto a metal plate
at a specified time, thus waking up the sleeping party.
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Fig. 28. Wikimedia Commons

3. Automatic Doors
Heron of Alexandria created a hydraulic system, based on
steam power, which automatically opened the doors to an
Alexandrian temple. The engine used air from a closed chamber
heated by an altar fire to displace water from a sealed vessel; the
water was collected and its weight, pulling on a rope, opened
temple doors.
Fig. 29. Wikimedia Commons

4. Catapult
Accounts of Hellenic versions of the catapult date back
to 399 BC. They often shot out arrow-shaped projectiles, not
boulders, but the mechanism was very much the same as the later
medieval catapults.

Fig. 30. Wikimedia Commons

5. Cement
Cement is a binder, a substance that sets and hardens
independently, and can bind other materials together. Although the
word is Roman, the Hellens already had a version of it, adding
limestone to a mixture of clay, water and sand. It was used from
100 BC onwards, and mostly in what is now the coast of Turkey.
Fig. 31. Wikimedia Commons

6. Central Heating
Although the Romans perfected the design, the ancient
Hellens already had a system in place where a fire heated up air,
which was then forced through pipes hidden under the floor. The
air warmed up the floor and, in turn, the room. Slaves kept the fire
burning, of course. Fig. 32. Wikimedia Commons

7. Clock Tower
The ancient Tower of the Winds dates back to about 100
BC. It housed a water clock which was connected to eight sundials
on the outside of the tower. The entire mechanism has since
vanished, but the tower remains, including the depictions of the
eight wind deities: Boreas (N), Kaikias (NE), Eurus (E), Apeliotes
(SE), Notus (S), Livas (SW), Zephyrus (W), and Skiron (NW).
Fig. 33. Wikimedia Commons
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8. Coin Money
Long before the rule of the Hellens, we developed a trade
system that relied on a token, not goods. Commodity money was
born, but the Hellens were the first to develop coins of different
sizes and materials and put a value on various trading goods.

Fig. 34. Wikimedia Commons

9. Crane
In the sixth century BC, the Hellens invented a way to
lift the heavy stone blocks onto the emerging temple walls: a crane.
Holes drilled into the stone suggest ropes were attached to the
blocks, and pulled up to be fitted in place.

Fig. 35. Wikimedia Commons

10. Crossbows
Like the catapult, crossbows emerged in ancient Hellas
and were a favored weapon. The arrows they fired traveled far,
were absolutely deadly, and the weapon was relatively easy to
load. The earliest evidence for the crossbow in Europe dates back
to the 5th century BC when the gastraphetes, an ancient Greek
crossbow type, appeared. The device was described by the Greek
author Heron of Alexandria in his work Belopoeica (“On Catapult-
making”) Fig. 36. Wikimedia Commons

11. Lighthouse
The famous lighthouse of Alexandria was constructed
around 300 BC, by Sostratus of Cnidus. With a height around 400
ft (120 m), it stood as one of the tallest man-made structures on
Earth for many centuries. It was one of the original Seven Wonders
of the Ancient World. The early lighthouses used wick lamps as a
source of light. In the olden times the light beam could only travel
a few miles. Fig. 37. Wikimedia Commons
12. Maps
Anaximander, who lived from 610 to 546 BC, was the
first to create maps with the concept of latitude and longitude, and
it were later Hellens Eratosthenes and Strabo who created maps
of the entire known world at the time, which–granted–was not the
known world as we know it today. Maps in western literature were
first produced in 6200 B.C. Maps are one of the most ancient
Greek inventions that are used today.
Fig. 38. Wikimedia Commons
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Department of Natural Sciences and
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13. Odometer
An odometer–as car enthusiasts will most likely know–
is an instrument that indicates distance traveled by a vehicle. In
ancient Hellas, it was used to measure the distance between cities.
Although the actual device was never recovered, some of the
measurements were. They were so accurate that some form of
technology had to be involved.
Fig. 39. Wikimedia Commons

14. Plumbing
In the 400s BC, Athens began to develop highly
extensive plumbing systems for baths and fountains, as well as for
personal use within individual homes. Many houses in ancient
Greece were equipped with closets or latrines that drained into a
sewer beneath the street. They seemed to have been flushed by
waste water. Some of the sewers were fitted with ventilating shafts.

Fig. 40. Wikimedia Commons

15. Sinks
The ancient Hellens were the first to have an automated
sink with running water, so both hands could be washed at the
same time. The ancient Greeks washed themselves with lumps of
clay, had steam baths and rubbed their skin with oil, such as olive
oil, which they then scraped off with an instrument called a “strigil”,
along with any dirt. Fig. 41. Wikimedia Commons

16. Showers
The ancient Greeks were the first people to have
showers. Their aqueducts and sewage systems made of lead
pipes allowed water to be pumped both into and out of large
communal shower rooms used by elites and common citizens
alike. These rooms have been discovered at the site of the city
Pergamum and can also be found represented in pottery of the
era. The depictions are very similar to modern locker room shower,
and even included bars to hang up clothing.
Fig. 42. Wikimedia Commons

17. Spiral staircase

Temple A at Selinunte, Italy, was special. It was built
around 480 BC. Selinunte was one of the most important of the
Greek colonies in Sicily. There were five temples, but of only the
‘E’-temple, it is sure whom it was dedicated to: Hera. Who the A-
temple was dedicated to is not clear, but it had a unique design
feature: the first spiral staircase in history.
Fig. 43. Wikimedia Commons
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18. Steam engine

It was a children’s toy, designed by Heron of Alexandria.
He called it an aeolipile; a cylinder, arranged to rotate on its axis,
having oppositely bent or curved nozzles projecting from it. When
the cylinder is pressurized, steam blows through the nozzles and
the aeolipile spins around. It was the first steam-powered anything,
and extraordinary in its own way.

Fig. 44. Wikimedia Commons

19. Surveying tools
The Hellenes were well aware that a building needed a
solid foundation, and a city needed proper planning in order to
stand safely for a long time. In order to do this, the Hellenes
devised many tools to test the soil, measure out the slope of the
ground, and gather other valuable information before building their
structures. It shows; much of what stood then, survives to this day,
more or less intact. Fig. 45. Wikimedia Commons

20. Thermometer
Philo of Byzantium was a Hellenic Jewish philosopher
who discovered that air expanded when heated. He attached a
tube to a hollow sphere and extended it over a jug of water. When
the device was in the sun, air expanded out of the sphere and into
the water, creating bubbles. When he put the device in the shade,
nothing happened. Around that same time (+/- 50 AD) Heron of
Alexandra worked on the first thermometer for medicine.
Fig. 46. Wikimedia Commons

21. Umbrella
Umbrellas were made from larger bones, wood or plant
leaves, and used to block rain or sun. While they certainly were
not up to par with modern umbrella’s, they served their purpose
well. Depictions dating back to the late 4th century BC display
umbrellas that could apparently open and close. Ancient Greek
culture considered it a mark of effeminacy if a man carries one.
Fig. 47. Wikimedia Commons

22. Urban planning

The Greek Hippodamus (c. 407 BC) has been dubbed
the “Father of City Planning” for his design of Miletus; Alexander
commissioned him to lay out his new city of Alexandria, the
grandest example of idealized urban planning of the ancient
Mediterranean world, where the city’s regularity was facilitated by
its level site near a mouth of the Nile. The Hippodamian, or grid
plan, was the basis for subsequent Greek and Roman cities. Fig. 48. Wikimedia Commons
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Aristotle’s critique and indeed ridicule of Hippodamus, is perhaps

the first known example of a criticism of urban planning.
23. Vending machine
The first vending machine was a construction of Heron
of Alexandria (c. 10–70 AD). His invention of the vending machine
became really popular when a coin was introduced via a slot on
the top of the machine, and a set amount of holy water was
dispensed. This was included in his list of inventions in his book,
“Mechanics and Optics”. When the coin was deposited, it fell upon
a pan attached to a lever. The lever opened up a valve which let
some water flow out. The pan continued to tilt with the weight of
the coin until it fell off, at which point a counter-weight would snap
the lever back up and turn off the valve. Fig. 49. Wikimedia Commons

24. Water mill

Even back in the day, power was needed to set
mechanisms to work. The earliest evidence of a water-driven
wheel is the Perachora wheel (3rd c. BC), in Greece. The earliest
written reference is in the technical treatises Pneumatica and
Parasceuastica of the Greek engineer Philo of Byzantium (ca.
280−220 BC). The British historian of technology M.J.T. Lewis has
shown that those portions of Philo of Byzantium’s mechanical
treatise which describe water wheels and which have been
previously regarded as later Arabic interpolations, actually date
back to the Greek 3rd century BC original. Fig. 50. Wikimedia Commons

25. Wheelbarrow
The wheelbarrow existed in ancient Greece in the form
of a one-wheel cart. Two building material inventories for 408/407
and 407/406 B.C. from the temple of Eleusis list, among other
machines and tools. Although evidence for the wheelbarrow in
ancient farming and mining is absent, it is surmised that
wheelbarrows were not uncommon on Greek construction sites for
carrying moderately light loads. Fig. 51. Wikimedia Commons

▪ REFERENCE

Spanos, M. (2012). 25 Things Many Don’t Realize were Invented by the Ancient Greeks.
Brewminate: A Bold Blend of News and Ideas
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Department of Natural Sciences and
Mathematics

LESSON 5
HISTORICAL ANTECEDENTS IN THE COURSE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

EARLY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN ROME AND CHINA

Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:
1. Organize visual representations showing scientific and technological innovations made
by early civilizations to make their daily activities easier.
2. Discuss how early scientific and technological developments affect our society.

Introduction
Roman Civilization
The Roman Empire was perceived to be the strongest political and social entity in the
west. It was considered to be the cradle of politics and governance during that period. Because
the Roman Empire was so large, other civilizations look up to it as their model in terms of
legislation and codified laws. Aside from their contributions in politics, a lot of discoveries and
inventions still relevant today can be attributed to the Roman Empire (McNamara, Valverde and
Beleno (2018). Science, Technology and Society).
Roman engineers and architects made outstanding technological achievements. Their
buildings and public works helped make people’s lives more comfortable. They built aqueducts to
carry water to more than 200 cities. Elaborate plumbing systems provided hot and cold water and
steam for the public baths.
Engineers made travel within the Empire easier by building a network of paved roads that
covered over 50,000 miles. They provided for drainage by laying the pavement stone slabs over
crushed stone, brick and pottery. Ditches alongside the roads carried away run-off water.
Architects found ways to design buildings with large interiors where many people could
gather. The Romans were thus the first to emphasize the space inside buildings as well as the
overall appearance (Perry (1989). A History of the World).
Things Many Don’t Realize were Invented by the Ancient Romans
Contribution Illustration
1. Modern plumbing
While earlier civilizations employed some form of basic
plumbing, the Romans gave it its modern form. Romans employed
an advanced system of aqueducts, concrete and lead pipelines to
supply water to its numerous cities and estates. Many houses and
public buildings were connected to a complex network of sewage
line, ensuring that the wealthy citizen enjoyed a level of sanitation
somewhat comparable to today’s standards.
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Fig. 52. www.brewinate.com

2. Highways
Roads were slightly raised in the middle so to drain off
any water on the surface. The Romans were also the first to use
road signs and mile markers as a means of easier navigation. The
fact that many highways remain largely intact today is a testament
to the quality craftsmanship the Romans employed in their
construction.
Fig. 53. www.brewinate.com

3. Bound Books
For a majority of recorded history, writing was done on
heavy clay tablets and unwieldy scrolls. Romans made the process
more organized and practical with the invention of the Codex, the
very first manifestation of the modern-day books.
Fig. 54. www.brewinate.com

4. Newspaper
The Romans were the first to invent newspapers to keep
its citizens updated on the daily affairs of the Empire. Known as
Acta Diurna (Daily Acts), these early newspapers were written on
stone or metal slabs and then posted for the public to view. Another
more exclusive newspaper was the Acta Senatus, highlighting the
proceedings of the Senate. In 59 BCE, it was also made public on
the orders of Julius Caesar.

Fig. 55. www.brewinate.com

5. Medical Corps
The Romans readily adapted medical and surgical
techniques from the Ancient Greeks and themselves further made
many advances in these fields. Among them was the formation of
medical corps to tend to the needs of injured soldiers during battles.

Fig. 56. www.brewinate.com

6. Nano-engineering
The color-changing properties of a 4th Century Roman
Chalice – the Lycurgus Cup – for many great decades’ baffled
scientists. That is until English Researchers in the 90s discovered,
to their amazement, that the glass was impregnated with nano-sized
particles of gold and silver. They were arranged in such a way that
– when the light hits the goblet’s surface – “electrons belonging to
the metal flecks vibrate in ways that alter the color depending on
the observer’s position.”
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Fig. 57. www.brewinate.com

Chinese Civilization
The Chinese civilization is considered to be the oldest civilization in Asia, if not the world.
It was famous among other ancient civilizations because of its silk trade. Despite China’s less
popular status among the early civilizations, one cannot discredit the significant contributions of
Chinese civilization to the world (McNamara, Valverde and Beleno (2018). Science, Technology
and Society).

.
Fig. 58. www.google.com.ph Fig. 59. www.google.com.ph Fig.60. www.google.com.ph
Silk Tea Gunpowder

Silk
One of the things that connected Far East China to the world is silk. Although is naturally
produced by silk worms, the Chinese were the ones who developed the technology to harvest the
silk and process it to produce paper and clothing (McNamara, Valverde and Beleno (2018).
Science, Technology and Society).
Tea Production
It was believed that the first tea was drunk by a Chinese emperor. Tea production was
developed when an unknown Chinese inventor created a machine that was able to shred tea
leaves into strips. Because of this invention, the Chinese were able to increase their production
of tea and trade with other nations. Tea production developed by the ancient Chinese may have
resulted in making teas as one of the most popular beverages in the world today (McNamara,
Valverde and Beleno (2018). Science, Technology and Society).
Gunpowder
The gunpowder is one of the most interesting inventions in China. Originally, it was
developed by Chinese alchemists who aimed to achieve immortality. They mixed charcoal,
sulphur and potassium nitrate, but instead of creating an elixir of life, they accidentally invented a
black powder that could actually generate large amount of heat and gas in an instant. Ironically,
instead of prolonging life, gunpowder is widely used to propel bullets from guns and cannons
which cause countless deaths. On the other hand, gunpowder is also used in fireworks during
important celebrations in China (McNamara, Valverde and Beleno (2018). Science, Technology
and Society).
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Fig.61. www.google.com.ph
Great Wall of China
Once considered the only man-made structure that could be seen from outer space, the
Great Wall of China is said to be the largest and most extensive infrastructure that the nation built.
It was constructed to keep out foreign invaders and control the borders of China. Today, with
some sections already ruins, the Great Wall of China still continues to be a world attraction due
to its historical significance and architectural grandeur (McNamara, Valverde and Beleno (2018).
Science, Technology and Society).
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COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Department of Natural Sciences and
Mathematics

LESSON 6
HISTORICAL ANTECEDENTS IN THE COURSE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DURING THE MEDIEVAL AGES

Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:

1. Enhance ability to gain knowledge on the interaction between science and technology
throughout history;

2. Trace back the development of science and technology in the Medieval Ages; and

3. Recognize important contributions during Medieval Ages in science and technology.

Introduction

The fall of Rome and the rise of the Germanic kingdoms marked the end of ancient times
and the beginning of the Middle Ages. During the Middle Ages the center of the European culture
shifted from the lands around the Mediterranean Sea to regions that had barely been touched by
Greco-Roman civilization.
A new civilization – medieval civilization – took shape during the early Middle Ages (A.D.
500 – 1050). There were few strong rulers or government in this period and a political system
grew up in which power was divided among many local lords. Economic and social life also
changed, centering both politics and society in medieval civilization (Perry (1989). A History of
the World).
The start of the Middle Ages was marred by massive invasions and migrations. Wars were
prevalent during 5this time. As such, great technology was needed in the fields of weaponry,
navigation, mass food and farm production, and health. The wars have resulted in population
decline, but during the latter part of the period, there was a significant rise in population. Trade
and commerce among nations increased, which resulted in greater demands for transportation
technology. Some of the most innovative minds came from this period (McNamara, Valverde and
Beleno (2018). Science, Technology and Society).

Medieval Advances in Agriculture

Europeans made many technological advances during the Middle Ages. They invented
the wheelbarrow, improved ways of making cement, and developed a rudder for steering ships
and a new type of anchor. It was the field of agriculture, however, that medieval people made the
most significant advances. By making possible greater food production, these advances paved
the way for increased trade and the growth of cities.
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Among medieval inventions in agriculture were the horseshoe, a heavy plow and the horse
collar. The new plow had two blades – one cut the soil and the other turned it over. The horse
collar and horseshoe made it possible to use horses more efficiently.
One of the first inventions to use energy other than the muscles of people or animals was
the water wheel. Since ancient times the water wheel had been used to grind grain. In the middle
ages the water wheel – along with the windmill – was adapted for use in preparing cloth, tanning
leather, and working metal.
Some windmills were used to pump water from mines. The medieval Dutch used the
windmill to drain marshes for farmland, a practice that continued well in modern times (Perry
(1989). A History of the World).

Interest in Science Grows during the Medieval Ages

Thomas Aquinas and many other medieval thinkers, however, developed an interest in
studying the natural world. Many ancient scientific works were translated into Latin in the High
Middle Ages. They were brought into Western Europe along translations of the works of Muslim
scholars. These writings, which had been unknown in Europe during the early Middle Ages,
stimulated a new interest in observing nature.
The greatest naturalist among medieval scholars was Albertus Magnus, who was the
teacher of Thomas Aquinas at the universities in Paris and Cologne. Albert wrote about geology,
chemistry, botany and zoology.
Another medieval scholar who experimented in science was Roger Bacon, an English
Franciscan monk and philosopher, who criticized professors for neglecting science. He studied
Muslim writings on light rays, performed experiments in optics, and observed that light travelled
faster than sound. In his writings he gave a good description of the eye and discussed the causes
of tides and the appearance of rainbows (Perry (1989). A History of the World).

Fig.62. www.google.com.ph Fig.63. www.google.com.ph

Printing press Microscope
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Department of Natural Sciences and
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Printing Press
After the Chinese developed the woodblock printing, Johann Gutenberg was able to invent
the printing press, a more reliable way of printing using a cast type. He utilized wooden machines
that extracted juices from fruits, attached to them a metal impression of the letters and pressed
firmly the cast metal into a piece of paper, which then made an exact impression on paper. The
printing press was invented to address the need for publishing books that would spread
information to many people at a faster rate (Streissguth, 1997).

Microscope
Another invention in the Middle Ages is the microscope. To develop the proper medicines
for illnesses, experts must understand the sickness through an investigation. Thus, they needed
a device that could magnify things invisible to the eye. Guided by the principles used for the
invention of eyeglasses in earlier years, Zacharias Janssen was able to develop the first
compound microscope. With this device, people were able to observe organisms that were
normally unseen by the naked eye. The microscope was key in discovering new means in
preventing and curing various illnesses (Davidson, 2015).

Telescope
The invention of the telescope, an optical instrument that helps in the observation of
remote objects was a great help for navigators during this time. Together with the telescope, the
invention of the compass, oars, and rudders made sea travelling easier and safer (Helden, 1989).

Fig.64. www.google.com.ph Fig.65. www.google.com.ph

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Department of Natural Sciences and
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War Weapons
Since wars were widespread during the Middle Ages, great development in the weaponry
technology also occurred. All sides must develop weaponries not only as offensive tools but also
as defensive instruments. For open-area battles, people developed cross bows and long bows so
that they could attack the enemies at long ranges, keeping themselves safe with the protection of
walls and fortresses. Additionally, in close-range hand-to-hand combat, soldiers should wear
something to protect themselves, a need addressed by the creation of iron body armors. However,
the body armors were heavy and limited their movements. The problem was eventually solved by
the invention of the chainmail.

▪ REFERENCES

McNamara, SJ, D.J.(2018). Science, technology and society. Quezon City:

C&E Publishing, Inc.

Perry, M. (1989). A history of the world. Houghton Mifflin Company. USA