PART 2 HISTORICAL ANTECEDENTS IN THE COURSE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Summary

This script explores the scientific and technological advancements of ancient civilizations, focusing on Sumerian, Babylonian, and Egyptian contributions. It highlights the Sumerians' development of cuneiform writing and innovative city construction. The Babylonians' renowned Hanging Gardens are discussed, though their existence remains debated. The Egyptians' inventions, such as papyrus, ink, and cosmetics, revolutionized communication and aesthetics. The script also touches on the significance of the water clock in timekeeping, offering a glimpse into the ingenuity of these early civilizations.

Takeaways

• 📜 The Sumerians developed the first writing system known as cuneiform, using word pictures and triangular symbols inscribed on clay.
• 🏙️ The city of Uru is considered the first true city in the world, built by the Sumerians using mud-baked bricks for construction and protection.
• 🏛️ The Sumerians constructed the Great Ziggurat of Ur, an architectural marvel, using the same mud-baked bricks for religious and cultural significance.
• 🌾 The Sumerians innovated in agriculture with the creation of dykes and irrigation tunnels to control water supply and prevent flooding, leading to increased food production.
• 🚣 The Sumerians are attributed with the invention of sailboats, facilitating transportation and trade, and contributing to cultural exchange.
• 🔄 The wheel was invented by the Sumerians for farm work and food processing, leading to advancements in mass production and reduced labor.
• 🛠️ The plow was another agricultural innovation by the Mesopotamians, allowing for efficient cultivation and increased food production.
• 🌳 The Babylonians, successors to the Sumerians, are known for the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, though its existence is debated.
• ✍️ The Egyptians contributed to writing with the invention of papyrus, a lightweight and durable alternative to clay tablets.
• 🖌️ The Egyptians also developed ink, essential for recording history, culture, and laws, which had to be resistant to tampering and natural elements.
• 📜 Hieroglyphics, the symbolic writing system of the Egyptians, is still famous today and was used to document their history and culture on pyramids and other structures.
• 💄 Ancient Egyptians used cosmetics for health and aesthetic reasons, including the use of kohl around the eyes for protection and cure of eye diseases.
• 👑 The invention of wigs in ancient Egypt served health and wellness purposes, protecting the scalp from the sun and preventing the accumulation of lice.
• ⏳ The water clock, an ancient Egyptian invention, utilized the flow of water to measure time, serving as a timekeeping device in the absence of modern clocks.

Q & A

Where was the Sumerian civilization located?

The Sumerian civilization was located in the southernmost tip of ancient Mesopotamia.

What is one of the major contributions of the Sumerians to science and technology?

One of the major contributions of the Sumerians is the development of the first writing system known as cuneiform.

How did the Sumerians construct the city of Ur?

The Sumerians built the city of Ur using mud or clay from the river, mixed with reeds, to produce sun-baked bricks.

What was the purpose of the Great Ziggurat of Ur?

The Great Ziggurat of Ur served as the sacred place of their chief god, where only priests were allowed to enter.

How did the Sumerians address the challenge of water scarcity and flooding?

The Sumerians created dykes and irrigation tunnels to bring water to farmlands and control the flooding of rivers.

What is attributed to the Sumerians in terms of transportation before the invention of the wheel?

Some sources attribute the invention of sailboats to the Sumerians to address their increasing demands for transportation.

What was the significance of the invention of the wheel for the Sumerians?

The invention of the wheel allowed for easier farm work and food processing, leading to mass production and less effort in farming.

What is the Hanging Gardens of Babylon known for?

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon is known as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, although its existence and exact location are debated.

What was the Egyptian civilization's contribution to writing materials?

The Egyptian civilization contributed to writing materials by inventing papyrus, which was lighter and more portable than clay tablets.

How did the Egyptians use cosmetics differently from modern times?

In ancient Egypt, cosmetics were used for both health and aesthetic reasons, such as preventing eye diseases and protecting from evil.

What was the purpose of wigs in ancient Egyptian culture?

Wigs in ancient Egyptian culture were worn for health and wellness, to protect shaved heads from the sun and to prevent the accumulation of head lice.

What was the water clock and how was it used by the ancient Egyptians?

The water clock was a time-keeping device that utilized gravity to measure time by the flow of water from one vessel to another.