Cradles of Early Science

Development of Science in Asia

 Asia is the biggest continent in the

world and the home of many
ancient civilizations. It is a host to
many cultural, economic,
scientific, and political activities
of all ages. In the field of science,
technology, and mathematics,
great civilizations have stood out:
India, China, and the Middle East
civilizations. These civilizations
were incomparable in terms of
their contributions to the
development of knowledge during
their time.
 Development of Science in Asia

 India

India is a huge peninsula

surrounded by vast bodies of
water and fortified by huge
mountains in its northern
boarders.
Development of Science in Asia

 The Indians creatively developed various ideas and technologies

useful in their everyday lives.
 They are known for manufacturing iron and in metallurgical works.
Their iron steel is considered to be the best and held with high
regard in the whole of Roman Empire.
 India is also famous in medicine. Ayurveda
 Ancient India is also notable in the field of astronomy. They
developed theories on the configuration of the universe, the
spherical self-supporting Earth, and the year of 360 days with
12 equal parts of 30 days each.
 Ancient India is also known for their mathematics.
Mohenjodaro ruler.
Development of Science in Asia

 China
China is one of the ancient civilizations
with substantial contributions in many
areas of life like medicine, astronomy,
science, mathematics, arts, philosophy,
and music, among others. Chinese
civilizations have greatly influenced many
of its neighbor countries like Korea,
Japan, Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand,
Cambodia, Myanmar, and other countries
that belong to the old Silk Road. 
Development of Science in Asia

 The Chinese are known for traditional

medicines, a product of centuries of
experiences and discovery the
Chinese people. They discovered
various medical properties and
animals to cure human illness. An
example is the practice of
acupuncture.
Development of Science in Asia

 In terms of technology, the Chinese are known to develop many

tools. Among the famous discoveries and inventions of the Chinese
civilizations were compass, papermaking, gunpowder, and
printing tools that became known in the West only by the end of
the Middle Ages (Davies, 1995). They also invented other tools like
iron plough, wheelbarrow, and propeller, among others. They
developed a design of different models of bridges (Zhongguo ke
xue yuan, 1983), invented the first seismological detector, and
developed a dry dock facility (Needham et al., 1971). 
Development of Science in Asia
 In the field of astronomy, the Chinese also made
significant records on supernovas, lunar and solar
eclipses, and comets, which were carefully recorded and
preserved to better understand the heavenly bodies and
their effects on our world (Mayall, 1939). They observed
the heavenly bodies to understand weather changes and
seasons that may affect their daily activities. They used
lunar calendars, too. The Chinese are also known in
seismology. This made them more prepared in times of
natural calamities.
 Development of Science in Asia
Middle
 East Countries
The
 Middle East countries are dominantly occupied
by Muslims. With the spread of Islam in the 7th and
8th centuries, a period of Muslim scholarship, or
what is called the Golden Age of Islam lasted until
the 13th century.
Muslim scientists placed greater value on science

experiments rather than plain-thought experiments.
This led to the development of the scientific method
in the Muslim world, and made significant
improvements by using experiments to distinguish
between competing scientific theories set within a
generally empirical orientation. A Muslim scientist
named Ibn al-Haytham is also regarded as the
Father of Optics, especially for his empirical proof
of the intromission theory of light. 
Development of Science in Asia
 In mathematics, the mathematician Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi
gave his name to the concept of the algorithm while the term algebra is
derived from al-jabr, the beginning of the title of one of his publications.
What is now known as the Arabic Numeral System originally came from
India, but Muslim mathematicians did make several refinements to the
number system, such as the introduction of decimal point notation. 
 Muslim chemists and alchemists also played an important role in the
foundation of modern chemistry (Durant, 1980). In particular, some
scholars considered Jabir ibn Hayyan to be the "Father of Chemistry"
(Derewenda, 2007; Warren, 2005).
 In the field of medicine, lbn Sina pioneered the science of experimental
medicine and was the first physician to conduct clinical trials (Jacquart,
2008). His two most notable works in medicine the Book of Healing and
The Canon of Medicine, were used as standard medicinal texts in both
the Muslim world and in Europe during the 17th century.
Development of Science in Africa
 Africa is blessed with natural and mineral
resources. Science also emerged in this
part of the planet long before the
Europeans colonized it. The history of
science and mathematics show that
similar to other ancient civilizations, the
early civilizations in Africa are knowledge
pro too.
 Astronomy was also famous in the African
region. For instance, documents show
that Africans used three types of
calendars: lunar, solar, and stellar or
combination of the three.
Development of Science in Africa

 Metallurgy was also known in the African regions during

the ancient times. North Africa and the Nile Valley
imported iron technology from the Near East region that
enabled them to benefit from the developments during
the Bronze Age until the Iron Age. They invented metal
tools used in their homes, in agriculture, and in building
their magnificent architectures.
Development of Science in Africa
 Mathematics was also known to be prominent in the life of
early people in the African continent. The Lebombo Bone
from the mountains between Swaziland and South Africa,
which may have been a tool for multiplication, division,
and simple mathematical calculation or a six-month lunar
calendar, is considered to be the oldest known
mathematical artifact dated from 35,000 BCE. Ancient
Egyptians are good in the four fundamental mathematical
operations and other mathematical skills. They have
knowledge of the basic concepts of algebra and geometry.
The Islamic regions in Africa during the medieval period
was also benefiting from mathematical learning, which is
considered advanced during those times, such as algebra,
geometry, and trigonometry.