Ancient
All 17 records found.
Agriculture through the Ages: From Silk to Supermarkets
From the Series Technology through the Ages
"For of all gainful professions, nothing is better, nothing more pleasing, nothing more delightful, nothing better becomes a well-bred [person] than agriculture."—Marcus Tullius Cicero,… Read More →
Ancient Agricultural Technology: From Sickles to Plows
From the Series Technology in Ancient Cultures
Did you know . . . • Ancient Romans invented a machine to harvest grain? • Farmers in ancient China destroyed the pests that harmed crops by bringing in their natural predators? • The… Read More →
Ancient Communication Technology: From Hieroglyphics to Scrolls
From the Series Technology in Ancient Cultures
Did you know that people first used road signs more than 2,000 years ago? Did you know that Ancient Rome had its own postal service? Did you know that Egyptian writers used flakes of… Read More →
Ancient Computing Technology: From Abacuses to Water Clocks
From the Series Technology in Ancient Cultures
Did you know . . . • Ancient cultures measured time accurately with water clocks? • An engineer in the first century B.C. designed an odometer to calculate distance traveled? • People… Read More →
Ancient Construction Technology: From Pyramids to Fortresses
From the Series Technology in Ancient Cultures
Did you know . . . • The ancient Maya built magnificent pyramid-temples? • Ancient Chinese builders created central home heating systems? • One ancient Greek monument was taller than a… Read More →
Ancient Machine Technology: From Wheels to Forges
From the Series Technology in Ancient Cultures
Did you know . . . • Ancient people used bows to drill holes and start fires? • The ancient Chinese built a machine to detect earthquakes? •The ancient Romans operated a factory for milling… Read More →
Ancient Medical Technology: From Herbs to Scalpels
From the Series Technology in Ancient Cultures
Did you know . . . • Doctors in ancient Peru performed brain surgery? • Ancient Greek doctors ran medical schools? • The ancient Indians knew how to protect people from smallpox? Medical… Read More →
Ancient Transportation Technology: From Oars to Elephants
From the Series Technology in Ancient Cultures
Did you know . . . • People first used skis more than 8,000 years ago? • The first wheels were used in pottery—not for transportation? • Traffic jams often clogged the streets of ancient… Read More →
Ancient Warfare Technology: From Javelins to Chariots
From the Series Technology in Ancient Cultures
Did you know . . . • The Scythians used guerrilla warfare more than 2,500 years ago? • The Chinese general Sun-tzu wrote the first military manual in the fourth century B.C.? • Some ancient… Read More →
Communication through the Ages: From Speech to Smartphones
From the Series Technology through the Ages
Reading texts or direct messages, communicating through speech or sign language, and viewing artwork are all among the many ways people share news, ideas, and feelings with one another.… Read More →
Computing through the Ages: From Bones to Binary
From the Series Technology through the Ages
“The discovery both of [geometry] and of the other sciences proceeded from utility.”—Proclus Lycius, Greek philosopher, fifth century CE “Geometry is the knowledge of the eternally… Read More →
Construction through the Ages: From Pyramids to Plumbing
From the Series Technology through the Ages
Ancient societies built massive monuments, many of which still stand. How did ancient engineers and builders raise up the Great Wall of China or the Great Pyramids of Egypt? They often needed Read More →
Machines through the Ages: From Furnaces to Factories
From the Series Technology through the Ages
". . . with the lighter catapults, which had a long range, he drove back those who were constructing the wall along the harbour, and with the ballistae he shook or destroyed the engines of… Read More →
Medicine through the Ages: From Acupuncture to Antibiotics
From the Series Technology through the Ages
“In medical knowledge the Egyptian leaves the rest of the world behind.” –Homer, Greek poet “I swear by Apollo the physician . . . and all the gods and goddesses, and call them to witness… Read More →
Technology through the Ages — Hardcover Set
From the Series Technology through the Ages
Ancient societies developed incredible inventions and complex techniques that continue to surprise scientists and historians today. Discover how ancient innovations laid the groundwork for… Read More →
Transportation through the Ages: From Stirrups to Steam
From the Series Technology through the Ages
The ancient world saw many empires rise and fall. But how did massive empires such as Babylon or Rome move information and resources across continents? They relied on one of the oldest… Read More →
Warfare through the Ages: From Bows to Bombs
From the Series Technology through the Ages
Since the first human civilizations appeared 10,000 years ago, people have fought over land and resources. Over time, these conflicts led to the development of many technologies that would… Read More →