HISTORICAL ANTECEDENTS OF SCIENCE

AND TECHNOLOGY
 Antecedent Define
Though it is important to study scientific and technological innovations that had important societal
impacts, there would not be enough time to study them all. What we would focus on are the historical
antecedents, which, according to Quinto, et al (2019), are “factors that paved the way for the presence of
advanced and sophisticated scientific and ethnological innovations today.” The study of these historical
antecedents is important because they help us better understand how to develop new scientific and
technological innovations and help us make better decisions based from our experiences.
In our study of these historical antecedents, we will be dividing them into three distinct but interrelated
periods. This relationship of different historical antecedents of science and technology across time can be seen
in Figure 2.1.

Figure 2.1: Historical antecedents of S&T across Time

 Cradles of Early Science
Development of Science in Mesoamerica
Mesoamerica includes the entire area of Central America from
Southern Mexico up to the border of South America.

Maya Civilization:
• One of the famous civilizations that lasted for approximately 2,000
years. These people are known for their works in astronomy.
Mayan knowledge and understanding about celestial bodies was
advanced for their time, as evidenced by their knowledge of
predicting eclipse and using astrological cycles in planting and
harvesting.
• The Mayans are also known for measuring time using two
complicated calendar system.
• Mayans also developed the technology for growing different crops
and building elaborate cities using ordinary machineries and tools.
They built hydraulics system with sophisticated waterways to
supply water to different communities.
Maya Civilization:

• The Mayans built looms for weaving cloth and devised a rainbow of
glittery paints from a mineral called mica.
• They are also believed to be one of the first people to produce
rubber products 3,000 years before GOODYEAR received its
patent in 1844.
• They are also famous as one of the world’s first civilizations to use
a writing system known as Mayan hieroglyphics.
• They were also skilled in mathematics and created a number
system based on the numeral 20.
Inca Civilization:

• Incas made advanced scientific ideas considering their limitations

as an old civilization. The following were scientific ideas and tools
that they developed to help them in everyday life.

1. Roads paved with stones;

2. Stone buildings that surmounted earthquakes and other disasters.
3. Irrigation system and technique for sorting water for their crops to
grow in all types of land.
4. Calendar with 12 months to mark their religious festivals and
prepare them for planting season;
5. The first suspension bridge;
6. Quipu, a system of knotted ropes to keep records that only
experts can interpret; and
7. Inca textiles since cloth was one of the especially prized artistic
achievements.
Aztec Civilization:

• Has also made substantial contributions to science and technology

and to the society as a whole. Some of their contributions are the
following:

Mandatory Education.
- The Aztec puts value on education; that is why their children are
mandated to get education regardless of their social class, gender, or
age. It is an early form of universal or inclusive education.

Chocolates.
- The Aztec in Mexico developed chocolates during their time. In the
Mayan culture, they used it as currency. The Aztec valued the cacao
beans highly and made it as part of their tribute to their gods.

Antipasmodic medication.
- They used a type of antispasmodic medication that could prevent
muscle spasms and relax muscles, which could help during surgery.
Chinampa.
- It is a form of Aztec technology for agricultural farming in which the
land was divided into rectangular areas and surrounded by canals.

Aztec Calendar.
- This enabled them to plan their activities, rituals, and planting
season.

Invention of the canoe.

- A light narrow boat used for travelling in water systemsv.
 Development of Science in Asia

 In the field of science technology and

mathematics great civilizations have
stood out in the China and Middle East
civilizations. These civilizations Where
incomparable in terms of their
contributions to the development of
knowledge during their time.
 In the ancient times, people were concerned with transportation and
navigation, communication and record keeping, mass production, power and
energy, security and protection, as well as health, observation, and
measurement, aesthetics, engineering, and architecture. A primary challenge they
faced was the conservation of life. The early people might have been successful in
harnessing the rich resources that the world could provide but their survival posed a
great problem. Different illnesses and diseases, both natural and man-made,
hampered the full potential of a human being. Given this predicament, science and
technology played a major role in the discovery of cures, if not the prevention of
illness. Moreover, in order to integrate their needs for better transportation,
establishment of structures for protection from human attacks and natural
disasters, and construction of bigger and stronger infrastructure. Furthermore,
the people were not contented on beautifying their infrastructures and surrounding but
more on being able to prolong life with the mass production of food and advancement
of medical technology, as well as raising the quality of life.
 The rise of ancient civilizations such
as Sumerians, Babylonians, Egyptians,
Greeks, Romans, and Chinese paved the
way for advances in science and
technology. Their contributions not only
allowed these ancient civilizations to
flourish, but also paved the way for the
developments of many other science and
technology innovations.
 Brief Historical
Background of
Science and
Technology in the
Philippines
The history of science and technology in the Philippines started way back
before the country gained Its independence from the American colonizers. Before
the coming of the Spanish colonizers, the early inhabitants of the archipelago had
their own culture and traditions. They had their own belief system and indigenous
knowledge system that keeps them organized and sustained their lives and
communities for many years.

• Science, in pre-Spanish Philippines, is imbedded in the way of life of the

people. scientific knowledge is observed in the way they plant their crops that
provide them food, in taking care of animals to help them in their daily tasks,
and for food production.

• Science is observed in the way they interpret the movements of heavenly

bodies to predict seasons and climates, and in organizing days into months
and years.

• They use science in preparing the soil for agricultural purposes and like any
other ancient cultures, they discovered the medicinal uses of plants.
•Technology is used by people in building houses, irrigations, and in
developing tools that they can use in everyday life.​

• They developed tools for planting, hunting, cooking, and fishing; for
fighting their enemies during war or tribal conflicts; and for
transportation, both on land and on waterways.​

• They also developed technologies in creating musical instruments.

•The different archeological artifacts discovered in different parts of the

country also proved that the metal age also had a significant influence
on the lives of early Filipinos. ​

All these ancient practices in science and technology are

considered now as indigenous science or folk science.
When the Spaniards colonized the country:

 They established schools for boys and girls and introduced the concept of subjects
and disciplines. It was the beginning a formal science and technology in the
country, known now as school of science and technology.
 The Filipinos developed ways to replicate the technology brought by the
Spaniards using indigenous materials.
 medicine and advanced science were introduced in formal colleges and
universities established by the Catholic orders.
 Filipino students who were able to study in Europe also contributed the
advancement of medicine, engineering, arts, music, and literature in the country.
Americans' influence:

Americans have more influence in the development science

and technology in the Philippines.

o They established public education system, improve

engineering works and the health conditions of the people.

o They established a modern research university, the

University of the Philippines, and created more public
hospitals than the former colonial master.

o They reorganized the learning of science and introduced it

in Public and private schools.
Since this establishment of the New Republic ,the whole nation
focusing on using it's limited resources in improving its science
and logical capability. It has explored the use of ODA or
Overseas Development Allocations from different countries to
help the country improve its scientific productivity and
technological capability.

The Development of Science and Technology in the Philippines

based on its brief history, is shaped by several factors and
influences.
Influences on the Development of
Science and Technology in the
Philippines:

Internal Influences:
• Survival
• Culture
• Economic
• Activities

External Influences:
• Foreign Colonizers
• Trades with Foreign Countries
• International Economic Demands
 Inventions by Filipino Scientists
The Philippines, despite being considered a developing country, have their own contributions to science
and technology and have a culture of developing scientific and technological innovations. Known for
original, clever, and inventive ideas, Filipino scientists and inventors have used the needs and
necessities of our nation in their innovations using resources that are indigenous to the country. Areas
where Filipinos focus include adaptation to natural disasters, navigation, textiles, food, and culture.
Quinto (2019), lists some of our many Filipino scientists, inventors, and innovators, along with their contributions to society. These
include:

1.Manuel Guerrero. Studied beriberi in infants in the Philippines during Spanish era.

2.Leon Ma Guerrero. First licensed pharmacist in the Philippines, and one of the most
eminent botanists in the country in his time.

3.Anaclento del Rosario. Leading chemist in the Philippines during the Spanish era,
regarded as the "Father of Philippine Science and Laboratory", and invented the formula
for producing a pure kind of alcohol from tuba in a nipa palm.

4.Abelardo Aguilar. Invented Erythromycin, an antibiotic from Streptomyces erythreus.

5. Aisa Mijeno. Invention of Sustainable Alternative Lighting Lamp (SALt lamp), an
environment friendly light source that runs on saltwater. It is safer as it poses no risk of
fire and emit no toxic gases and it benefits those from far-flung barrios.

6. Rolando dela Cruz. Invented a local mole remover from extracts of cashew nuts.

7. Maria Orosa. Invented the banana ketchup.

8. Fe del Mundo. Invention of medical incubator from indigenous and cheap materials which
did not run on electricity by placing a native laundry basket inside a bigger one and
inserting hot water bottles between the baskets to provide warmth and makeshift hood to
allow oxygen circulation. She was the first Asian woman who admitted into Harvard Medical
School. Other breakthroughs in Philippine medicine attributed to Del Mundo include her
works on the immunization and treatment of jaundice and the BRAT diet (includes banana
and rice) for curing diarrhea.
9. Dominic Chung, Lamberto Andrada, and Antonio Llave. Invention of the Salamander, an
amphibious tricycle that can cross not only flooded streets but also rivers and lakes.

10. Enrique Ostrea, Jr. Invention of the meconium drug testing

11. Angel Alcala. Outstanding contributions to marine science

12. Caesar Saloma. Outstanding contributions to physics

13. Edgardo Gomez. Outstanding contributions to marine science

14. Fabian Dayrit. Outstanding contributions to herbal medicine

15. Gregory Tangonan. Outstanding contributions to communications technology

16. Jose Cruz, Jr. Outstanding contributions to electrical engineering

17. Josefino Comiso. Outstanding contributions to Antarctica satellite imaging

18. Lilian Patena. Outstanding contributions to plant biotechnology

19. Lourdes Cruz. Outstanding contributions to sea snail venom

20. Mari-Jo Ruiz. Outstanding contributions to education and graph theory in mathematics

21. Rafael Guerrero III. Outstanding contributions to tilapia culture

22. Ramon Barba. Outstanding contributions to tissue culture in Philippine mangoes

23. William Padolina. Outstanding contributions to chemistry

Their impacts will be discussed in much greater detail in Module 4.
 SUMMARY

The following learning points summarize what you have learned in

this section:

• The development of science and technology is affected by social contexts and social
contexts affect the developments in science and technology. By looking at the
conditions present in a certain historical period, we can discern the needs of humankind
and these needs drive the development of science and technology.
• Certain scientific and technological innovations are considered as historical
antecedents; that is, they are precursors of other scientific innovations. They provide
solutions to existing problems and are important foundations for the development of
future products and processes.
• The Ancient Period, Middle Ages, and Modern Ages are three
historical periods marked with differing contexts and thus
developed different types of technologies.
• Filipino scientists and inventors contributed to the development
of science and technology. They focused on the needs of the
nation as the main motivators of their inventions.
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of
God, that giveth to all men liberally, and
upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
James 1:5 KJV
Thank You!