Ancient Technology
The ancient world helped develop an assortment of technological advances, the endless list of innovations by ancient societies are responsible for not just shaping our planet but also preparing us for future endeavors into the infinite universe. Although it’s unjust to pick just one group of people, I have randomly selected three cultures and a modernization designed by its individuals. The story of technological evolution takes place in Mesopotamia, Italy, and in China; wherein its inhabitants pioneered new ideas that changed the course of history.
The first civilizations of the ancient world surface in the fertile lands located in present day Iraq. Mesopotamia stretched between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers to form
…show more content…
The highly-disciplined armies would be the source of Roman domination and because of their expansion, through efficient administrating, were able to build one of the biggest empires known to man. In addition, Rome would also form a government representing the motto “of the people,” that would help pave way to invaluable public works. Much of these public works would not be possible if not for their discovery of concrete. Concrete, consisted of an aggregate of sand, lime, brick-and-stone rubble, and water (Fiero 152). Concrete was cheap, durable and the foundation of their structural principles. Sturdy enough to last the test of time, much of their work is still standing. The most impressive public work would not be possible if not for concrete. The period of Roman aqueduct construction began with building of the Aqua Appia by Appius Claudious (Rolfe 470). Concrete allowed for a water friendly medium to transport clean water from one location to another depending on the city’s layout. Even more impressive, it enabled a healthier approach to minimizing diseases through a sewage system. Although Romans weren’t the first to do this, they were the first to utilize their advance concrete structural principals with the construction of one the world’s greatest achievements, The Roman …show more content…
The exact date is debated but early forms of gun powder are present around 270 C.E. (Fiero 178). The early Chinese dynasties were fascinated with sulfur, evident by its usage in medicines and cloth dyeing methods. Another vital use from sulfur was its flammability properties. This would eventually lead to the discovery of gun powder and improved variants in which it transitioned from an incendiary weapon to one that held an explosive blow (Yunming 487). The Chinese would use the discovery of gun powder to help solidify their conquest in Asia. To keep up with the demand of sulfur, early Chinese empires derived different ways to manufacture sulfur. According to Yunming, it was extremely hard to extract naturally occurring elemental sulfur. To overcome this inefficiency, a common mineral called pyrite would lead to a more advanced form of sulfur. The Ming dynasty would be responsible for this upgraded form of sulfur and lead to manufacturing contributions to the science of sulfur extraction
The ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia and Egypt began to develop circa 3,000 B.C. Located near rivers, the lands offered fertile soil and an excess of crops that drew in many people. As more people arrived, the small settlements flourished into large, thriving civilizations. Many aspects of Mesopotamia and Egypt, such as their cities, their strongly organized government, and their religion, greatly contributed to the success of these two civilizations.
Before the beginning of history, people from across the land gradually developed numerous cultures, each unique in some ways while the same time having features in common. Mesopotamia and Egypt are important to the history of the world because of religious, social, political and economic development. Mesopotamia was the first civilization, which was around 3000 B.C., and all other countries evolved from it. Mesopotamia emerged from the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. The soil was rich and agriculture was plentiful. The Semitic nomads occupied the land around Akkad. The Sumerians established the city-states. Villages became urban centers. Because of the formation of the city-states everything flourished. However, Mesopotamian agriculture lacked stones; therefore mud brick became their major building block. Their diet consisted of fish from the rivers. The rivers were flooded frequently destroyed the cities. Mesopotamians made their living from crops and pottery.
“Many European cities still bear reminders of the power of ancient Rome, and throughout the western world the influence of Roman power is still manifest.” “As the Roman Empire expanded Roman architects struggled to achieve two overriding aims: to demonstrate the grandeur and power of Rome, while also improving the life of their fellow citizens.” They held the Greeks in high regard for both their sculpture and architecture, learned stonework and pyramid architecture from the Egyptians, and absorbed important techniques from the Etruscans. To that end, the Romans perfected three architectural elements: concrete, the arch, and the vault. These three elements helped lighten the load carried by Roman structures while maintaining overall durability.
The first civilization to rise was the Mesopotamia, located in present day Iraq, between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, and Egypt, along the Nile River. It’s split in two ecological zones. In the south Babylonia (irrigation is vital) and north Assyria (agriculture is possible with rainfall and wells). By 4000 B.C.E., people had settled in large numbers in the river-watered lowlands of Mesopotamia and Egypt. Archaeologists have shown that large-scale irrigation appeared only long after urban civilization had already developed, meaning major waterworks were a consequence of urbanism (population). Mesopotamia cities were made of people called the Summerians in the land of Sumer located on the south of Babylonia. The Summerian city was one of
Before a main recognition of gunpowder’s invention attributed to the Chinese alchemy, there had been some prior burning devices such as Greek fire. Nonetheless, the dating of gunpowder is believed to be around 850 AD for argument’s sake . It was originally created by Taoist alchemist for the purpose of seeking an elixir of immortality . Gunpowder is composed of three ingredients in varying proportion, the usual being saltpeter (potassium nitrate), 75 percent, sulfur, 10 percent, and charcoal, 15 percent . At first, the recipe of gunpowder is limited to a number of
If the ancient Roman innovation of concrete, were to not have been significant, it would not have continued to be used across the globe. In fact, ancient Roman hydraulic cement-based concrete was so notable that modern day scientists are trying to, “replicate the exact formula for which ancient Roman concrete was made.” This is due to ancient Roman concrete being so sturdy and strong that aspects of it have lasted over 2000 years without deterioration. Without the innovation of Roman concrete, many of the modern world’s infrastructure would not be stable, causing havoc across the globe. Also, advancements in construction, health, and even safety areas would not be possible, as almost every piece of infrastructure, from sewerage and water pipes, to building and security walls, would not be able to remain as safe to use. This is because the modern world relies so heavily on concrete, with around five billion tonnes of concrete being used around the world each year,becoming the single most widely used material in the construction industry. In fact, around 76% of all first-world infrastructure is reinforced with concrete. Without this substance, much of the modern-world's infrastructure would not be as tall or sturdy as what it currently is, as it would simply deteriorate or break. Hydraulic cement-based concrete is certainly the most significant Roman
Mesopotamia was the first primordial, and influential cradle of civilization. Nestled in the valleys of the vehement Tigris-Euphrates Rivers around the time of the Lower Paleolithic period
Egypt and Mesopotamia were two of the world’s earliest city-based civilizations, creating the basis for Middle Eastern and Western history. Both Egyptian and Mesopotamian civilizations existed on the banks of major rivers. While Egyptian civilization thrived along the Nile, Mesopotamia settled between the Tigris and the Euphrates. Although they shared this characteristic, it was also the cause of many of their differences in political systems, religions, and social stability.
It is believed that the area was where human civilization first started with the Sumerians in the Fertile Crescent, or Mesopotamia, between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, namely modern day Iraq. Ten thousand years have passed since, and the area has seen much conflict, but the many invasions by great civilizations, such as the Egyptian, Assyrian, Babylonian, Persian, Greek, and Roman empires, have made the Middle East into the ethnically, racially, linguistically, culturally, and politically diverse culture that it is today.
Millions of years ago the procreant low lands in the river basins of Euphrates and Tigris was probably the home of some animal life, but no great civilizations. However, things change over time, and just a few thousand years ago the same fertile low lands in the river basins of Euphrates and Tigris became the home of a very rich and complex society. This first high society of man was located in what some still call "Mesopotamia". The word "Mesopotamia" is in origin a Greek name meaning "land between the rivers." The name is used for the area watered by the Euphrates and Tigris and its tributaries, roughly comprising modern Iraq and part of Syria. South of modern Bagdad, this alluvial plain was called the land of Sumer and Akkad. Sumer is the most southern part, while the land of Akkad is the area around modern Bagdad, where the Euphrates and Tigris are closest to each other. This first high, Mesopotamian society arose as a combined result of various historical, institutional, and religious factors. The reality of these factors occurring at a specific place within the fabric of space / time indeed established the basis for this first high civilization. Items like irrigation, topography, and bronze-age technical innovations played a big part along with the advent of writing and the practice of social conditioning (through the use of organized religion) in this relatively early achievement of man.
The Romans discovered many things that would aid the construction of their great civilization. The Romans discovered that a particular mixture of volcanic rock rubble and water could be used to create very strong structures; their concrete mixture could even be used in underwater applications. The Romans used concrete to make foundations for large buildings as well as bridges. They also used concrete as mortar to hold together the stones that made up roads, walls, and bridges. The Romans discovery of concrete allowed them to build very large structures that have survived many centuries.
The Romans also excelled in the highly practical art, architecture. The Romans were the first people in antiquity to use concrete on a massive scale. By using concrete in their new architectural designs, the Romans were able to construct huge buildings, bigger than the Greeks ever could have dreamed of.
This class has examined the various accomplishments of ancient Rome, many that have been carried on throughout time and influenced numerous cultures around the world. Amongst those accomplishments were the development of concrete and the utilization of arches. This paper will examine the Roman development of both concrete and the infamous concrete arch that is utilized in many modern day structures today.
Technology Then to Now Throughout time, machines, no matter how simple or complex, have played a vital role in the development of civilization into the future. In other words, machines have played a part in helping our culture develop into what it has become today. This dates back to the beginning of time when an early man used a stick and a fulcrum (rock) to make a simple lever. Technology:
...ovements on the arch and the dome. Also, they built roads, bridges, harbors, and aqueducts, which they were most famous for. Aqueducts were a revolutionary invention that carried water from the hills to the cities. Even today, the principal of the aqueducts enables many urban areas to have water. The lasting contributions of the Roman Empire have helped to shape modern living.