Historical antecedents in the course of STS

ANCIENT
CIVILIZATION
Group A Presentation
 Table
of contents
01 Education
04 Medicine

02 Transportation
05 Politics

03 Agriculture
06 Economy
 EDUCATION MESOPOTAMIA
Education in Mesopotamia links its studies to its Oral repetition, memorizations, one on one instructions are
Religion often used as teaching methods.
-Mesopotamia is a polytheistic Religion -Priest dominated the Education of Mesopotamia. Mentors of the
-First schools in Mesopotamia are created by temples. Temple schools are strict.
schools made it their mission to educate boys to be scribes or
priests. Each temples has its own cradle of education known as
library.

Mesopotamian Education centered on literature tools that were used in Mesopotamia are Tablets
-Utilization of the writing system “cuneiform” -Using tablets Teachers will write sentences on it while the students
-Cuneiform is a system of writing used by ancient Sumerians write along its lines.
 EDUCATION
EGYPT MAYA
Egyptian Education is mostly similar to the No formal schools for the commoners
classrooms setting of the modern day Education. Special class of priest that taught only the children of the nobles
-Children sitting at desks and the teacher siting at a larger desks.
Most of the career are exclusive only to men. Special skills, Special jobs.
-Mothers were responsible for educating the children. If there are individuals who possess a unique skill or talent they are able
to acquire special jobs however this is rare.
Egyptians Used hieroglyphs, or symbols. Your father’s job is your job.
-Rather than letters for written language. They used symbols. And they -Fathers taught their children with their work.
used it for 3500 years.

Egyptian Education are available mostly only to men. Maya system of writings are hieroglyphs
-Gender roles of Ancient Egypt. includes both ideograms and phonic glyphs
 EDUCATION EGYPT
Different system different medium of language Education was mostly given in forest under the blue sky
-Vedic- Sanskrit/ Buddhist-Pali as they believed it will keep the students mind active and alive.

The objective of the Education is not only on the outside Education is mostly focused on the enrichment of culture,
but also in the inside. character, development, personality and noble ideas.
-Focused on imparting ethics, humility, truthfulness, discipline, self- -gaining mental, physical, and intellectual personality of students.
reliance and respect to all creations.
 EDUCATION ANCIENT CHINA
Emphasis on Practicality: Education focused on practical skills needed for daily life
and governance.
Confucianism: Science and Technology:
he dominant philosophy emphasized moral and ethical * Significant advances in astronomy, mathematics, medicine, and
development, with less focus on scientific inquiry. engineering.
* The use of calendars, compasses, and other tools demonstrates
scientific understanding.
Education System: * Developments in agriculture, silk production, and gunpowder
* Emphasis on memorization and mastery of classical texts. technology.
* Limited access to education for the common people.
* Scholar-officials held high status and influenced government.
 EDUCATION ANCIENT ROME:
Emphasis on Practical Skills: Education focused on skills needed for administration,
military service, and law.
Roman Engineering: Education System:
* Known for their advanced infrastructure, including * Elementary education was common for boys from wealthy
aqueducts, roads, and bridges. * Developed techniques for families.
surveying, construction, and hydraulic engineering. * Advanced education focused on rhetoric, law, and philosophy.
* Limited access to education for women and the lower classes.
Science and Medicine:
* Influence by Greek science and medicine. * Notable
advancements in medicine, especially surgery.
 EDUCATION ANCIENT GREECE:
Emphasis on Reason and Inquiry: Education emphasized critical thinking, logic, and
observation.
Philosophical Schools: Education System:
* Schools like those of Plato and Aristotle fostered * Education was primarily for free males from wealthy families.
intellectual inquiry and scientific investigation. * Emphasis on rhetoric, philosophy, and the liberal arts.

Science and Mathematics:

* Significant advancements in geometry, astronomy, and
mathematics. * Notable figures: Pythagoras, Euclid, Aristotle,
and Archimedes.
 EDUCATION ANCIENT PERSIA
Emphasis on Practical Skills: Education focused on skills needed for administration,
military service, and commerce.
Persian Empire: Education System:
* Known for its advanced infrastructure, including roads, * Emphasis on memorization, recitation, and practical skills
canals, and irrigation systems. * Developed sophisticated . * Scribes and priests played important roles in education.
techniques for astronomy, mathematics, and medicine. * Limited access to education for women and the lower classes.

Zoroastrianism:
The dominant religion emphasized the importance of knowledge
and wisdom.
 Simple boats out of logs.

TRANSPORTATION
To trade their surplus goods in exchange for
things that they lacked
Was significant because people
were trying to go places and
discover new horizon
Walked.
They travel to search for food and
find better locations for their
settlements.

To trade their surplus goods in

exchange for things that they lacked
 Rode animals.

TRANSPORTATION
·They used existing waterways or simple roads for
transportation.
Over time, people built more complex means of
·Wheeled vehicles
transportation. They learned how to harness various
sources of power, such as wind, steam, and
combustion, to move barges, ships, trains,
automobiles, and airplanes.
 AGRICULTURE CHINA
The core of Chinas History of Agriculture is evident in 2 Wheat and barley- Were mainly grown in the northern regions
characteristics: of China, while millet was grown throughout various parts of the
1. DIVERSIFIED PLANTATION country
2. INSTENSIVE CULTIVATION

Chinas ancient agriculture has two essential cradles * FARMING TOOLS

1. Yellow River Basin (NORTH) people relied on farming tools such as stone knives and stone spades.
- Northern climate is typically dry which is suitable for growing millet and after the arrival of Bronze Age,
2. Yangte River Basin (SOUTH) agricultural tools made of bronze such as shovels and sickles were
- Southern Weather is wet and ideal for growing rice developed.
* CROPS The major agricultural projects and international trade routes were
Rice- was the most important crop in ancient China, as it provided the
established to facilitate the development of china, which also allowed the
staple food for the majority of the population. It was grown primarily in
exchange of chinese culture worldwide.
the southern regions of China where the climate was ideal for its
cultivation.
AGRICULTURE CHINA
*TRANSPORTATION

1. The Grandcanal - an ancient engineering marvel that stretched 1,116 miles from beijing to Hangzhou. It is one
of the world's longest,oldest and extensive artificial canals.
- It served as a significant waterway for transporting grain delivered to capital which improved the economic
and cultural exchange between north and south china and supplied the country with industrial and agricultural
development

2. The Silkroad and Maritime Silkroad- -This promotes ancient agricultural development. This two roads have
been the bridges that connect china and the world. -They enabled the exchange of agricultural products such as
silk, tea and soybeans
 AGRICULTURE ROME
• CROPS The Romans had four systems of farm management
1. direct work by owner and his family
-Predominant grain crops Wheat, millet, and barley -Other
2. tenant farming or sharecropping in which the owner and a tenant
important food crops Olives, legumes, beans, peas, and various
divide up a farm's produce
fruits and vegetables Wheat was turned into bread. Olives were
3. forced labour by slaves owned by aristocrats and supervised by slave
pressed into olive oil, and grapes were fermented to become
managers; and other arrangements in which a farm was leased to a
wine or vinega
tenan
• FARMING PRACTICES MECHANIZATION
Cows provided milk while oxen and mules did the The Romans improved crop growing by irrigating plants using aqueducts
heavy work on the farm. Sheep and goats were to transport water. Mechanical devices aided agriculture and the
cheese producers and were prized for their hides. production of food.
Horses were not widely used in farming but were PROBLEMS
raised by the rich for racing or war. Sugar Roman farmers faced many of the problems which have historically
production centered on beekeeping, and some affected farmers, including the unpredictability of weather, rainfall, and
pests. Farmers also had to be wary of purchasing land too far away
Romans raised snails as luxury food
from a city or port because of war and land conflicts
 AGRICULTURE GREECE
• CROPS MECHANIZATION
Wheat, barley, olives, and grapes were four of the top crops Equipment used in Greek agriculture was basic. Digging, weeding and
of ancient Greece. However, they grew a variety of fruits plowing was usually done by hand using wooden or iron-tipped plows and
and vegetables, too. Pears, figs, apples, and pomegranates hoes. Wealthier farmers had oxen to help plow their fields. A tool called a
were planted at their homes along with vegetables. The most sickle was used to harvest crops.
widespread vegetables were cucumbers, lettuce, garlic, and
onions.
• FARMING PRACTICES PROBLEMS
they used crop rotation, which is cycling a few crops on the Farming was difficult in Ancient Greece primarily due to the
same field to restore nutrients. Sometimes they would leave geography. Greece is not a low, flat place, akin to modern Kansas or
a field fallow, which is to leave a field without plants growing Nebraska. Instead, it is a region of mountains and islands, where
for a period of time there is relatively little open plainslands for growing crops.
 AGRICULTURE
MESOPOTAMIA EGYPT

LOCATION: LOCATION:
Between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in modern- Along the Nile River in modern-day Egypt.
day Iraq.

• FARMING • FARMING
Early farmers grew crops like barley, wheat, peas, beans, Egyptians cultivated crops like barley, einkorn, lentils,
apples, figs, garlic, and cucumbers. They developed beans, dates, figs, and grapes. They used basin
irrigation systems by cutting through riverbanks and irrigation and relied on the Nile's annual flooding to
digging canals, dikes, and ditches. enrich the soil.
 MAYA
AGRICULTURE INDIA
LOCATION: LOCATION:
In Mesoamerica, specifically in the region that is now In the Indus Valley region of modern-day Pakistan and
southern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and Honduras. northwestern India.

• FARMING • FARMING
The Maya civilization began cultivating maize and beans The Indus Valley Civilization, which flourished from
around 7000 BC. They built their cities around 3300 to 1300 BCE, had a sophisticated irrigation
ceremonial complexes and had a sophisticated system that supported agriculture. They grew crops
understanding of astronomy that they used to time their like wheat, barley, and rice.
agricultural activities.
 MEDICINE
What treatments were used in ancient times?
·The most important methods of active treatment were referred
to as the “five procedures”: the administration of emetics,
purgatives, water enemas, oil enemas, and sneezing powders.
Inhalations were frequently administered, as were leeching,
cupping, and bleeding.
What were the ancient remedies for illness?
·Lung problems were treated with a medicine made of liquorice
and comfrey. Cough syrups and drinks were prescribed for chest
and head colds and coughs. Wounds were cleaned and vinegar
was widely used as a cleansing agent as it was believed to kill
disease. Mint was used in treating venom and wounds.
 MEDICINE
What was used for medicine in ancient times?
·But animal remedies (such as the milk of various animals,
bones, gallstones) and minerals (sulfur, arsenic, lead, copper
sulfate, gold) were also employed. The physicians collected and
prepared their vegetable drugs. Among those that eventually
appeared in Western pharmacopeias were cardamom and
cinnamon.
What differences do you see in current-day medicine and medicine in
ancient times?
·Medicine has advanced majorly as time has passed. Modern
medicine has progressed in treating illnesses that couldn't have
been discovered in ancient times. Diseases have been shown
not only to be physical, but mentally too.
 MEDICINE
Ancient medicines and procedures are still used today
By John Murphy, MDLinx | Published September 17, 2019)

·Some primeval medical treatments are still used today—

including some that haven’t fundamentally changed much since
their ancient introduction.
(And we’re not talking about questionable cures like bloodletting,
acupuncture, and application of leeches.)
These are everyday remedies that you probably encounter all the
time without being fully aware of their longstanding history.

Let’s take a look at these ancient medicines and medical

practices still used today
Ancient medicines and medical practices
Aspirin Sutures
·The bark of the willow tree contains
·The history of suturing may go back tens
one of the oldest medicinal remedies in
of thousands of years when a primitive
human history. In its modern form, we
man (or woman) invented the eyed
call it aspirin. More than 3,500 years
needle. But, the first account on record of
ago, the ancient Sumerians and
a surgical suture was around 3000 BC in
Egyptians used willow bark as a
Ancient Egypt. Accordingly, the oldest
traditional medicine for pain relief.
known suture is in an Egyptian mummy
Tracheostomy dating from 1100 BC.
This operation is one of the oldest, easiest, and most
valuable surgical procedures in history—but surprisingly,
it was very rarely performed throughout the centuries.
Tracheostomy didn’t come into routine use until the
beginning of the 19th century. And even then, it was
indicated for only a few conditions.

Cataract surgery Morphine

Morphine—the active ingredient in
·If you think that the eyes were too opium—is still obtained from
valuable and fragile for the Ancients to harvesting the poppy plant
cut into, you’d be wrong. In the 6th (Papaver somniferum) through a
century BC, good ol’ Sushruta of India method that has remained
documented the standard cataract fundamentally unchanged for more
surgical procedure called couching. than 8,000 years
 POLITICS
Ancient athens politics and goverment
The first known democracy in the world was in Athens.
Athenian democracy developed around the fifth century
B.C.E. (national geographic education)

ORIGIN
Athenian democracy developed in the 5th century
BCE. It was established after a series of reforms,
most notably by leaders like Solon, Cleisthenes, and
Pericles.
 POLITICS
Structure of Athenian Democracy
The Assembly (Ekklesia):
The central institution of Athenian democracy.
Open to all male citizens over the age of 18. The Courts (Dikasteria):
Large juries (often 500
The Council of 500 (Boule): citizens) chosen by lot.
Selected by lot, representing the 10 tribes of Handled legal disputes and
Athens. Prepared the agenda for the Assembly could hold public officials
and oversaw the execution of its decisions. accountable.
Magistrates (Archons):
Officials selected annually, often by lot.
Included roles such as generals (strategoi),
treasurers, and judges.
 POLITICS
Ancient China's political and government
systems
The Chinese system of rule relied on a strong central
government headed by an emperor, who, with his
many relatives, constituted a ruling family and
lineage. But the emperor did not necessarily have the
absolute power that is often associated with
traditional monarchy(The grandeur of Qing state)
 POLITICS Philosophical Influences
Confucianism
Structure of Athenian Democracy Confucian philosophy, emphasizing moral
Dynastic Rule integrity, proper conduct, and social harmony,
became the dominant ideology of the state.
Mandate of Heaven: This was a central concept
legitimizing the ruler's authority. It held that the
Legalism
emperor was chosen by Heaven to rule based on
virtue and capability. During the Qin Dynasty, Legalism played a crucial
role. Legalists advocated for a strong, centralized
state with strict laws and harsh punishments to
Dynastic Cycles maintain order and control.
Chinese history is often described in terms of
dynastic cycles. A dynasty would rise to power,
Daoism
consolidate control, and establish peace and advocating for harmony with nature and simplicity in
prosperity (the zenith). life.
 MESOPOTAMIA
ECONOMY
The Mesopotamian economy, like all pre-modern economies,
was based primarily on agriculture.
Currency Goods import.
-shekel copper, ivory, pearls, semi-precious
stones, carnelian beads,gold, silver,
other precious metals,wood,lapis lazuli
Goods exported. Main product.
ceramics,glass,grain,leather -barley and wheat
products,fish,palm, and vegetable oil
reed baskets and mats textiles.
 EGYPT
ECONOMY MAYA
Agriculture made up a major part of economy was based on trade of staple crops as well as
ancient Egypt's economy prestigious items such as gold, copper, jade and
Currency Currency decorated pottery.
-gold currency -smallest amount- -gold currency -smallest amount-
deben deben
Goods import.
Goods export/import
-Tin and copper
-salt, cotton mantels, slaves, quetzal feathers,
Goods exported. flint, chert, obsidian, jade, colored shells, Honey,
cacao, copper tools, and ornaments.
grain, gold, linen, papyrus, and finished goods,
such as glass and stone objects.
Main product.
Main product. grain, gold, linen, papyrus, and finished goods,
Grains and papyrus such as glass and stone objects.
 INDIA
ECONOMY CHINA
The economy of ancient India was In northern China, people mostly farm wheat, while in
primarily agrarian southern China it is mostly rice
Currency Currency
Karshapanas or Pana. cowrie shells
Goods export. Goods export
spices, wheat, indigo, opium, sugar, sesame live Silk,teas, salt, sugar, porcelain, and spices.
animals oil, cotton, and animal products such as hides,
skin, furs, horns, tortoise shells, pearls, sapphires, Goods imported.
crystal, lazuli, granites, turquoise, and copper etc.
Goods imported. cotton, ivory, wool, gold, and silver.
animal products, Chinese silk, horses, flax and
linen, gold, silver, tin, copper, lead, rubies, coral,
Main product.
glass, amber, etc.
Silk, paper, tea, and porcelain
Main product.
silk, cotton, sugar, precious stones.
 ROME
ECONOMY GREECE
grarian and slave-based economy economy rely heavily on mercantilism to survive.

Currency
denarius aureus
Currency
drachma
Goods export.
Goods export
Grapes, oil, and grain
Olive oil,wine pottery, metal works
Goods imported. Goods imported.
beef, corn, glassware, iron, lead, leather, marble, -Pork and grains
olive oil, perfumes, purple dye, silk, silver, spices,
timber, tin and wine.

Main product. Main product.

Grapes, oil, and grain olive oil, wine, and amphorae.
 PERSIA
ECONOMY
agriculture and its system of dividing up state lands.

Currency Goods import.

daric ivory tusks from Asian elephants and
gold from Indian mines.

Goods exported. Main product.

lentils, beans, figs, grapes, sesame wine and metals like copper and tin,
seeds, flax, herded livestock, and wine. as well as a number of dyes and
limestone.
Thank you!
References
https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/73290
https://mayas.mrdonn.org/school.html
https://www.google.com/search?
q=education+in+ancient+egypt&oq=education+in+ancient+egypt&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOdIBCDgwOTJqMGo5qAIAsAIB&client
=ms-android-transsion&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8
https://study.com/academy/lesson/mesopotamian-education-overview-history-
facts.html#:~:text=What%20was%20education%20like%20in,help%20the%20younger%20students%20learn
"The Cambridge History of Science"** (Volume 1: Ancient Science) by G.E.R. Lloyd and J.G. Lennox "Science and Civilization in China"** by
Joseph Needham "Ancient China"** by Kenneth J. DeWoskin
"A History of Science: From the Ancient Greeks to the Renaissance"** by Edward Grant "The Cambridge Ancient History"** (Volume 10: The
Augustan Empire, 43 BC – AD 69) "Roman Engineering"** by L.A.A. Toomer
"A History of Science: From the Ancient Greeks to the Renaissance"** by Edward Grant "The Cambridge History of Science"** (Volume 1:
Ancient Science) by G.E.R. Lloyd and J.G. Lennox "A History of Greek Science"** by George Sarton
"The Cambridge History of Science"** (Volume 1: Ancient Science) by G.E.R. Lloyd and J.G. Lennox "A History of the Persian Empire"** by
A.T. Olmstead "The History of Persia"** by Pierre Briant
 References
Transportation Infrastructure (nationalgeographic.org) Chapter 1 - Historical Antecedents of
Science and Technology - HISTORICAL ANTECEDENTS IN THE COURSE - Studocu
Historical Antecedents in Science and Technology: Ancient Times - Course Sidekick
Historical Antecedents in Science and Technology: Ancient Times - Course Sidekick
John Murphy, MDLinx | Published September 17, 2019