Science, technology and society in the pre-colonial asian societies

1. Science and
technology in the pre-
colonial Asian societies

2. 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

3. 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

4.  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

5. ECONOMY
 Sumerian city-states was based on farming
and trade
Industry became an important factor in
civilization as well
The 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

6. 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

7.  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/Structure
s

8.  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 house
High class children – usually
became scribes, physicians, or
temple administrators

9. Tools Weapons Technology
Saws
Chisels
Hammers
Braces
Bits
Nails
Pins
Rings
Hoes
Glue
Arrowhead
s
Axes
Knives
Swords
Daggers
Clubs
Armor
Writing system
(cuneiform)
Number system
Wheels
Irrigation system
Boats
Calendars

10. Writing/Literature
One 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

11. Religion
Priesthood was developed
The temple became the center of both
religion and learning
Everyone 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)

12. INDUS Valley
Irrigation 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

13.  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

14. Religion
Worshipped 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 life
Worshipped fertility symbols such as round
stones and pierced stones
Belief in magical rituals, charms, and
amulets
Performed ritual baths

15. 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

16. VEDIC CIVILIZATION
Written Literature
Aryans: 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)

17. Indian Art : Numbers up to 1012
Addition, subtraction, multiplication was known
Practical geometry was used
Concept of zero
Ayurveda : Search for longer life

18. Farming
Classification of plants and animals
Technology and Logic
Glass manufacture, high level pottery
manufacture, use of iron,
Civil engineering
Metallurgy : Rustless iron pillar of Delhi
Theory of motion of the body
Ability to recognize false arguments
Acoustics through experiments

19. CHINA CIVILIZATION
Mathematics: Decimal place value, bank notes, systems
of linked and pivoted rings
Astronomy: Enlightened cosmology, development of
instruments for astronomy, first practical seismograph
Physics: Optics, magnetism
Engineering: Hydraulic engineering
Gunpowder
Biology: Control of pests, medicine

20. Philosophical and Theological Aspect
Focused on the harmonious relationship of all
beings
Confucianism
Taoism

21. MIDDLE EAST CIVILIZATION
Shaduf
- Egypt
Archimedes Screw
Noria
Wind mills