Technology: The Ancient World

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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

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