Calma, Andrea Marie P.

July 26, 2018

BSA 1-5 Prof. Anilyn Falcatan
Quiz 2

 Information
The Information Age began around the 1970s and is still going on today. It is also known
as the Computer Age, Digital Age, or New Media Age. This era brought about a time period in
which people could access information and knowledge easily. The Renaissance influenced the
Information Age by creating the idea of inventions and the basic idea was used to develop
modern inventions. It means that there is a continuous change over time as new technologies,
user devices, methods of interaction with other humans and devices enter the domain of research,
development and market launch.
These are forms of media that are native to computers, computational and relying on
computers for re-distribution. Some examples of new media are telephones, computers, virtual
worlds, single media, website games, human-computer interface, computer animation and
interactive computer installations. New media are often contrasted to "old media", such as
television, radio, and print media.

There were many different inventions that came about because of the Information Age,
the first one is the computer. The Internet allowed people to access information with the touch of
a button. The Internet has turned society into homebodies, individuals who do everything from
the comfort of their homes instead of venturing outdoors to complete tasks. People can do
everything online; shopping, communicating, bill paying, working, education, entertainment,
even ordering food.

Tim Berners-Lee, Steve Jobs and Bill Gates are several important people of the
Information Age. Berners-Lee created the World Wide Web. Steve Jobs who created the first
effective personal computer called the Apple 1. The Apple 1 was a huge advancement in
computer sciences. Apple has created iPhone, iPod, iPad, iMac, and Apple TV. Bill Gates is also
a huge force in the Information Age. He founded Microsoft, which creates almost everything that
has to do with computers. Microsoft develops programs like Microsoft Office and Windows.

The Information Age has made industrial countries stronger. Many communication
services like texting, email, and social media developed and the world has not been the same.
The Information Age is also known as the Age of Entrepreneurship. Now entrepreneurs can start
and run a company easier than ever before.
  Meso – America
The word Meso means “middle” and these Mesoamerican cultures are the early
advanced civilizations of Mexico and Central America.

Location of the Mesoamerican civilizations

The Olmec (The Mysterious Empire)
The first great civilization of Mesoamerica is the Olmec. Its name came from what the
Aztecs refer to them by: “The Rubber People”, or in the language of the Aztecs, “The Olmec”.
The Olmec did in fact grow rubber trees and harvest rubber. One of their uses of the harvest was
to make rubber balls for a ritualistic ballgame.
The Olmec emerged greatly because the area they inhabited was a great natural habitat.
There was good soil and plenty of water. The area's river system made for a similar environment
to places like the Nile and the Indus River Valleys.
The Olmec developed the first written language and numbering system in Mesoamerica.
They had great artifacts, like the jade mask and the giant head, which is just one of the many
enormous heads left by the Olmec in the region. Being the first civilization of its kind in
Mesoamerica, the Olmec greatly influenced other cultures' development in the region. It's looked
to as a mother culture of the region.

First Mesoamerican written language Jade mask

 Giant head
The Maya (The Wisest Empire)
The Maya known as “Classic Period”. They covered Southern Mexico, Guatemala and
Honduras. They had a great knowledge of astronomy. Their cities were amazing urban centers.
They included amazing temples, royal tombs and pyramids, like from Tikal, one of the largest
sites left of the Maya.

Tikal
 The Mayans developed a variety of technology throughout their history. In fact, they are
considered one of the most scientifically advanced societies in Mesoamerica. Among other
accomplishments, they created a variety of weapons (including spears, clubs and blades) with
very little to no metal; instead, they used brittle minerals such as obsidian and chert. They also
successfully made bows and arrows
The Mayans were skilled at mathematics; they created a numerical system, based upon
the numeral 20. Furthermore, they independently developed the concept of zero and positional
value, even before the Romans did. Due to their ability to do math and understand abstract ideas,
they were able to produce calendars and even predict solar and lunar eclipses.
 Mayan’s positional number system
 The Mayans also had a writing system, known as Mayan hieroglyphics and this was
similar to the Egyptian hieroglyphics in terms of appearance. This script had over 1000
characters. The Mayans also had writing tools, usually crafted from animal hair and feathers.

The hydraulics system of the Mayans was very impressive. Many cities, including
Kaminaljuyu, had waterways, making use of hydraulic technology to successfully supply water
throughout the sprawling communities. This allowed the Mayans to farm with more ease, and
was a true innovation within Mesoamerica as a whole.
The Mayans were ruled by an aristocratic nobility and they had elaborated funeral
practices. One thing many people might appreciate is that they used cocoa beans as currency.
The Aztec (The Cruelest Empire)
Tools and Weapons
Aztecs made numerous advancements in technology that benefited their empire's thriving
economy. Some of these advancements were evident in their weapons, tools, calendars and
medicine. Even though Aztecs did not have iron or bronze they still found creative ways to
create effective weapons to use during warfare. Instead of using the common materials used to
make weapons, Aztecs used obsidian, chert, copper, and stone. Some of the weapons and tools
they made were drills, axe blades, theatlatls, and the macuahuitls. The theatlatl made a spear
easier to throw; the macuahuitl was a club made of wood that paralyzed enemies. Aztecs also
made canoes that allowed them to carry goods through waterways in the empire. 

Aztec Canoe
The Aztecs were very advanced scientific thinkers and mathematicians. They relied in
math such as their designs on calendars. Aztecs used two calendars, one was used to keep time
and the other was used to be aware of the days to praise gods. The religious calendar had 260
days, each day of each month was dedicated to a God. The time calendar had 365 days and 18
months, the months consisted of twenty days because natural disasters usually occurred on
certain days, five extra days were added to the end of each year, these days were known as “bad
days". If a baby was born on a bad day they were named on a good day. The time calendar is
made of stone and it consists of symbols for each day of the month. The symbols were animals,
elements, and objects, such as a crocodile, the wind, or a house.

Aztec Calendar
Aztec Medicine
Some of the illnesses and injuries that doctors treated were fevers, earaches, broken
bones, and colds. Doctors even had procedures for women to go through when they were
pregnant, such as having a women carry wood ash if she goes out past dawn to ward off evil
spirits that could harm her fetus. Also, Aztec medicine was found in many forms, such as
ointments, drinks, and salves.

Aztec Herbs used for medicine

Chinampas
Because there was no fertile land available in their empire, Aztecs created land for
harvesting. They called their land “chinampas”. Chinampas were islands made with mud, silt,
and decomposing food on a reed mat that was on top of water. Farmers planted many trees
around the edge of the chinampas so that the roots would hold the soil and provide an infinite
amount of water for the farmland. Aztecs grew an assortment of vegetables on the chinampas,
plowing the food with only sticks and a hoe made of wood. 

Aztec Chinampas

The Inca (The Largest Empire in Early America)

1. The Macchu Picchu is a favourite tourist site in Peru and one of the wonders of
the world.
2. The Incas were great farmers and builders. They were the first people in history to
grow the white potato, their main food.
3. They were able to haul huge stone blocks to build magnificent temples and
palaces.
4. In religion, the Incas worshipped many Gods, especially the sun. They called
themselves “Children of the Sun”.
 5. In science and language, they had very little mathematics, no calendar and no
writing. But they had beautiful art, pottery and gold jewelry. Proverbs and stories
were handed down by oral tradition, because the Inca had no written language.

 Asian

Asian civilizations most notable for their contributions to science and technology were
India, China and the West Asian civilizations. At present, the most notable country in Asia in
terms of its technological and scientific achievement is Japan, which is particularly known for its
electronics and automobile products.

The Hittites, the first Iron Age Empire.

The Hittites were the first people in history to mine, smelt and use iron tools and
weapons.
The Phoenicians, the Alphabet Carriers.
1. Their greatest contribution was to spread the written alphabet.
2. They established trading colonies in the Mediterranean world, out of which
became cities like Carthage, Cadiz, Sardinia, Palermo and Monaco.
3. The Phoenicians introduced the exotic products of the East to the West.
Hebrews (Jews), the Chosen People.
1. Monotheism. Jews were the first nation to believe in one God and to worship
without idols (physical images or pictures).
2. They introduced the Judaism and Christianity.
3. The Bible. Jews wrote all the books of the Bible, the holy book of both Judaism
and Christianity.
4. Other Jewish talents have excelled in philosophy, arts, education, literature,
politics, science and technology. Google, Facebook and other technological
applications came from Jewish inventors.
5. The Jews developed modern banking and finance.
The Persians (Iranians)
1. Zoroastrianism, the ancient Persian religion. The founder of this religion was the
prophet Zoroaster (Zarathustra), and the holy book is the Zend-avesta. It was
based on the belief that life is a struggle between good and evil.
2. They introduced the use of money (coins) for exchanging goods and services.
3. First postal service. Regular message service by paid couriers.
4. The stories of the prophet Daniel and Queen Esther (wife of King Xerxes).

Indian Contributions to Civilization:

1. Four religions – Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism.
 2. Philosophy – Indian thinkers had ideas of the human condition long before Greek
philosophers did. People interacted with Gods, each other and even the afterlife. Bad
behaviour could influence one’s fate or afterlife (karma).
3. Literature – the first fable (Panchatantra), the first dramatic epics (The Clay Cart by
Sudakra and Sakuntala by Kalidasa), great epic poems (Mahabharata and Ramayana),
and the world’s greatest philosophical poem (the Bhagavad Gita).
4. The music, art and architecture of India are well known. Classical Indian music has
influenced Western modern rock music of the Beatles and other pop groups. Indian art
portrays the love stories of their gods. In architecture, India gave the world such wonders
as the Taj Mahal in Agra, temples and palaces. Indian handicrafts in gold, wood, cloth,
metal, ivory and leather are also very much admired.
5. Mathematics – India invented the zero and the numerals in mathematics, but the Arabs
introduced them to the world.

Chinese Contributions to Civilization:

1. The first paper, brush pen, and ink; the first compass (magnetic needle); the first
printing press using movable blocks; gunpowder for warfare and festivals; and the
first water mill.
2. Sericulture (silk industry) and the use of silk clothes, which revolutionized
clothing.
3. Philosophers like Confucius, Lao Tzu and Mencius, who still exert a profound
excellence.
a. Confucius (King futze) – was China’s most beloved teacher and one of
the world’s greatest philosophers. He taught them the virtues of life such as
benevolence, righteousness, wisdom, propriety and loyalty.
b. Lao Tzu – the founder of Taoism.
c. Mencius – the greatest pupil of Confucius, believed that all men were
naturally good, and this belief led him to consider people as more important than
the government.
4. Fireworks, cannons and military strategy.
5. The first paper money, which the Chines called “flying money”; the first playing
cards for gambling and recreation; the oldest known book, Diamond Sutra, and
the oldest newspaper in the world, Peking (Beijing) Gazette.
6. Chopsticks for eating; calligraphy, the art of fine writing; the umbrella; the kite
for outdoor sports; pagoda architecture, which is uniquely Oriental in design and
construction; and the Great Wall, a massive masterpiece of engineering.
7. While in Traditional Chinese medicine it includes acupuncture and herbal
medicine.

 Middle East
 Science and technology flourished in the Islamic world to a far great extent than they did
in the West. Muslim rulers promoted the translation of Greek philosophy and science texts, and
then encouraged further scientific exploration in numerous fields, among them are mathematics,
astronomy, medicine, pharmacology, optics, chemistry, botany, philosophy and physics.

Mathematics
al-Khwarizmi he considered as the greatest mathematician of Islamic civilization, was
instrumental in the adoption of the Indian numbering system. He developed algebra and
introduced methods of simplifying equations, and used Euclidean geometry in his proofs. Omar
Khayyam he is known in the West as a poet, calculated the length of the year to within 5 decimal
places. He found geometric solutions to all 13 forms of cubic equations. He developed some
quadratic equations.

Muslim astronomers knew the Earth was round and calculated its diameter. Ibn al-
Haytham explored momentum, gravity, and optics 600 years before Galileo was accused of
heresy for arguing that the Earth orbited the Sun.

Medicine
Muslim doctors were surgically removing cataracts and treating kidney and gallstones
while Europeans were still using leeches on their patients. Ibn Sina (known in the West as
Avicenna) wrote al-Qanun fi al-Tibb, or the Canons of Medicine, a seminal volume that was the
first to recognize the contagious nature of tuberculosis, identify meningitis, and describe all the
minute parts of the eye.

In 1898, the Aswan Dam became their first major modern dam project and it resulted in
the successful damming of the Nile. While in 1960s, the expansion of this Dam was built with
Soviet support. Through sustained investment in research, they have become experts in water
desalination, water recycling, and solar energy.
Astronomy was useful for determining the Qibla, the direction in which to pray. Jabir
ibn Hayyan described laboratory techniques and experimental methods that would continue to
be used when alchemy had transformed into chemistry. He identified many substances including
sulphuric and nitric acids. He described processes such as sublimation, reduction and distillation.
He made use of equipment such as the alembic and the retort stand. Al-Battani determined the
length of the solar year. He contributed to the Tables of Toledo, used by astronomers to predict
the movements of the sun, moon and planets across the sky. Al-Zarqali developed a more
accurate astrolabe, used for centuries afterwards. He constructed a water clock in Toledo. He
discovered that the Sun's apogee moves slowly relative to the fixed stars, and obtained a good
estimate of its motion for its rate of change. Nasir al-Din al-Tusi wrote an important revision to
Ptolemy's celestial model. He developed trigonometry.

Botany had practical application in agriculture, as in the works of Ibn Bassal and Ibn
al-'Awwam. Al-Dinawari popularised botany in the Islamic world. He described the phases of
plant growth and the production of flowers and fruit.
 Geography enabled Abu Zayd al-Balkhi to make accurate maps.

 African

Africa has the world's oldest record of human technological achievement and it is the
oldest stone tools in the world that have been found in Eastern Africa. The history of science and
technology in Africa has received only little attention compared to other regions of the world,
despite their developments in mathematics, metallurgy, architecture, and other fields.
Astronomy
For about 700 years, the Dogon people of Mali in West Africa recorded the path of the
star Sitius A, which they called "sigi tolo" and they discovered Sirius B, the tiniest and densest
campanion of Sirius A, which they called "po tolo".
The recent discovery of a megalithic site in northwestern Kenya is called Namoratunga, it
is the first archaeo-astronomical evidence in sub-Saharan Africa. Namoratunga has an alignment
of 19 basalt pillars that are non-randomly oriented toward certain stars and constellations. The
same stars and constellations are used by modern Cushitic peoples to calculate an accurate
calendar.

Metallurgy and tools

These include steam engines, metal chisels and saws, copper and iron tools and weapons,
nails, glue, carbon steel and bronze weapons and art.

Mathematics

The Lebombo bone is the oldest known mathematical artifact.

The Ishango bone is a bone tool for engraving or writing. Some scientists have suggested
that this indicates a mathematical understanding that goes beyond counting. It may have been a
tool for multiplication, division, and simple mathematical calculation, a six-month lunar
calendar, or it may have been made by a woman keeping track of her menstrual cycle.

They even introduced the numeral system and even texts such as the Rhind Mathematical
Papyrus and the Moscow Mathematical Papyrus show that the ancient Egyptians could perform
the four basic mathematical operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division (use
fractions), also the formula to compute the volume of a frustum, and calculate the surface areas
of triangles, circles and even hemispheres. They understood basic concepts of algebra and
geometry, and could solve simple sets of simultaneous equations

One of the major achievements found in Africa was the advance knowledge of fractal
geometry and mathematics. The knowledge of fractal geometry can be found in a wide aspect of
African life from art, social design structures, architecture, to games, trade, and divination
systems.
Medicine
Africans knew about diseases and their treatment, performed surgery, used plants,
employed mental/spiritual therapy, and manipulated bones as required in order to heal an
ailment. Three were widely used medicines in the United States aspirin, Kaopectate, and
reserpine have one thing in common. The active ingredients in all of them are found in plants in
Africa: the bark of Salix capensis in aspirin, kaolin in Kaopectate, and rauwolfia in reserpine.
Africans used all of these plants for treatment before the coming of the Europeans, and they still
do it.

Imhotep of Kemet was a mutigenius who was the first physician. He is considered to be
the father of medicine instead of Hippocrates who learned from the medical knowledge of the
people of Kemet.

Architecture
Africans built buildings and monuments that definitely qualify as wonders of the world.
The examples are the great pyramids, the buildings of Great Zimbabwe, and the eleven
interconnected rock-hewn churches of Lalibela in Ethiopia. The architerctural wonders of the
pyramids have not been duplicated by anybody, though some Europeans and Japanese scientists
have tried, using modern technology.

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