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. There is no doubt that the Mesoamerican region is rich in culture and knowledge prior to the arrival Of
its European colonizers.
The Maya Civilization
The Maya civilization is one Of the famous civilizations that lasted for approximately 2,000 years. These
people are known for their works in astronomy.
They incorporated their advanced understanding of astronomy into their temples and other religious
structures. This allows them to use their temples for astronomical observation.

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 systems. These calendars
were very useful for their life especially in planning their activities and in observing their religious rituals
and cultural celebrations.
The Mayans also developed the technology for growing different crops and building elaborate cities using
ordinary machineries and tools.
Mayans built for weaving cloth.
Devised rainbow of glittery paints and made from mineral called MICA

Mayan Heiroglyphics – Writing system of mayan.

They are also believed to be one of the first people to produce rubber products.
the Mayan were one of Mesoamerica’s most technologically advanced civilizations. They are renowned
for being one of the first civilizations in the world to employ the Mayan hieroglyphic writing system. They
developed a number system based on the number 20 and were proficient in mathematics. In addition,
they independently established positional value and the idea of zero before the Romans did.
The Inca Civilization
• The 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:
I. roads paved with stones

2. stone buildings that surmounted earthquakes and other disasters

3. irrigation system arid technique for storing 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

7. Inca textiles since cloth was one of the specially prized artistic achievements
The Aztec Civilization
• The 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:
I. 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.

Based on my research at google All Aztec children were required by law to attend school. This
even included slaves and girls, which was unique for this time in history. When they were
young, children were taught by their parents, but when they reached their teens they attended
school. Boys and girls went to separate schools.
2. Chocolates. The Aztec in Mexico developed chocolate during their time. In the Mayan culture, they
used it as currency. The Aztec valued the cacao beans highly and ma de it as part of their tribute to
their gods.

usually consumed their cacao as a hot drink, a steamy broth served in a clay cup. One of the
earliest depictions of it used in exchange dates to the mid-7th century
3. Antispasmodic medication. They used a type of antispasmodic medication that could prevent
muscle spasms and relax muscles, which could help during surgery.
What does antispasmodic medicine do?
Clinicians frequently prescribe antispasmodic agents to treat symptoms of abdominal pain,
including spasms and cramps, in patients with DGBI .
4. Chinampa. It is a form of Aztec technology for agricultural farming in which the land was divided
into rectangular areas and surrounded by canals.

Chinampa, also called floating garden, small, stationary, artificial island built on a freshwater lake
for agricultural purposes. Chinampan was the ancient name for the southwestern region of the
Valley of Mexico, the region of Xochimilco, and it was there that the technique was—and is still—
most widely used.
5. Aztec calendar. This enabled them to plan their activities, rituals, and planting season.

The Aztecs used a sacred calendar known as the tonalpohualli or ‘counting of the days’.
6. Invention of the canoe. A light narrow boat used for traveling in water systems.