Science and technology in the pre-colonial Asian societies

MESOPOTAMIAN CIVILIZATION

Besides the Indus Valley Civilization there was a dominant civilization already thriving in Asia

“Land between two rivers” situated near the Tigres and Euphrates rivers locating it in the fertile crescent

Impact of Geography: Basis upon which the wealth of the region originated

There was never a regular supply of water but the soil was so enriched over the years by the layers of silt which is material deposited by the two rivers

an arc of land from the Mediterranean sea to the Persian gulf called the Fertile crescent had rich soil and abundant crops to sustain life in the early civilization

the valley between the Tigris and Euphrates river was known as the land between the rivers in Greek

Ancient Mesopotamia consists of current Assyria, Akkad, and Sumer

the three main independent cities in Southern Mesopotamia were Eridu, Ur, and Urak, these cities had a political and economic over the surrounding countryside

ECONOMY Sumerian city-states was based on

farming and tradeIndustry became an important factor in

civilization as wellThe people of Mesopotamia were known

for their metal work, woolen textiles, and pottery

Copper, tin and timber were imported goods exchanged for dried fish, wheat, and metal goods

Around 3000 BC, the invention of the wheel was created making transportation of goods easier and quicker

Social Structure

Three major social groups: Nobles, commoners, and the slaves

The nobles included many of the royal and religious officials

The commoners worked for palace and temple domain, they also worked as farmers, merchants, and crafts people

More than 90% of the people in Mesopotamia were farmers due to the rick soil

Slaves worked in building buildings and also belonged to the palace officials

The most famous and important building in the Sumerian city was the temple dedicated to the gods and goddesses of the city

The temple was called Ziggurat and was built atop a massive tower

Housing were built by sun-dried bricks

A small portion were made by stone or wood

Buildings/Structures

Gender Roles

Sumerian Kings – Families lived in large palaces and helped rule the

Women – taught girls housekeeping and cooking; crush grains; weave clothes

Men – rulers of the houseHigh class children –

usually became scribes, physicians, or temple administrators

Tools Weapons TechnologySawsChiselsHammersBracesBitsNailsPinsRingsHoesGlue

Arrowheads

AxesKnivesSwordsDaggersClubsArmor

Writing system (cuneiform)

Number systemWheelsIrrigation systemBoatsCalendars

Writing/LiteratureOne of the greatest accomplishments of

the Sumerian people was the invention of the earliest known system of writing

The Sumerians created written documents by using a triangular-tipped stylus to make wedge-shaped impressions in soft clay

Enuma Elish and Gilgamesh are examples of great religious literature, while the Code of Hammurabi is one of the greatest early examples of juridical literature

ReligionPriesthood was developedThe temple became the center of

both religion and learningEveryone was expected to sing

hymns, say prayers, make sacrifices and bring offerings to the local temple (Ziggurat) for the gods

Beliefs of good and evil, life and death, and forces of nature

Four major gods: An (god of heaven), Enlil (god of air), Enki (god of water), and Ninhursag (mother earth goddess)

Lesser gods: Utu (sun god), Nanna (moon god)

INDUS ValleyIrrigation systems : Flood area was

used for agriculture augmented by areas irrigated by dams

Produced wheat, barley, bananas, melons, cotton and peas

Transportation: The river was used for transporting goods

Evidence suggests that many houses had wells and bathrooms as well as an elaborate underground drainage system

Writing systems had been found in carved stamp seals, pottery, amulets, copper tablets

Two major cities: Mohenjodaro and Harappa

ReligionWorshipped Mother Goddess, a father

God who might be a progenitor of Siva, the Lord of animals

Yoga and meditation (human physiology)

Belief in a tree of lifeWorshipped fertility symbols such as

round stones and pierced stonesBelief in magical rituals, charms, and

amuletsPerformed ritual baths

Uniformity of construction and controlled sizes of bricks in buildings point to awareness of weights and measures

Studies of meteorology indicate decimal divisions of length and ability to perform simple arithmetic calculations

VEDIC CIVILIZATIONWritten LiteratureAryans: Spread eastward and formed new

communities based on agriculture, this was easy because of mobility via horses

Calendar concept: ritual, Nakshatra system, Mahayuga (Conceptual system that described a cosmic cycle)

Indian Art : Numbers up to 1012Addition, subtraction, multiplication was

knownPractical geometry was usedConcept of zeroAyurveda : Search for longer life

FarmingClassification of plants and animals

Technology and LogicGlass manufacture, high level pottery

manufacture, use of iron, Civil engineeringMetallurgy : Rustless iron pillar of DelhiTheory of motion of the bodyAbility to recognize false argumentsAcoustics through experiments

CHINA CIVILIZATIONMathematics: Decimal place value, bank notes,

systems of linked and pivoted ringsAstronomy: Enlightened cosmology, development

of instruments for astronomy, first practical seismograph

Physics: Optics, magnetismEngineering: Hydraulic engineeringGunpowderBiology: Control of pests, medicine

Philosophical and Theological AspectFocused on the harmonious relationship of

all beingsConfucianismTaoism

MIDDLE EAST CIVILIZATIONShaduf - Egypt

Archimedes Screw

Noria

Wind mills