Development of Science in

Mesoamerica
Mayan Civilization

• Prominent civilizations during the ancient period that lasted for

approx. 2000 yrs.

• Known for works in astronomy.

• Design temples and other religious structures, allowing them to use

these temples for conducting astronomical observations.
• Knowledge of predictingeclipse and using astrological cycles
agricultural activities.

• Acknowledge for using two complicated canlendar systemsto measure

time.

• Developed technology for growing differentcrops and for building

elegant cities using ordinary machineries and tools.
• Built hydraulics system with complex waterways to supply water.

• Built looms for weaving cloth and devised a rainbow glittery paints
made from mineral called mica.

• First people to produce rubber.

• First to use writing system (Mayan hieroglyphics).

• Created number system based on the numeral 20 and developed the

concept of zero and positional value.
Incan civilization

• Built roads covered with stones

• Constructed stone structures that could survive earthquakes and

other natural calamities.

• Developed quipu, a system of knotted ropes to keep records that

only experts can interpret
• Invented a calendar with 12 months to mark their religious festivals
and prepare themfor planting season

• Developed irrigation system and techniquefor storing water dor

their crops to grow in all types of land

• Built first suspension bridge

• Created Inca textiles.

Aztec civilization

• Mandatory education - put value on educ. Chlidren are mandated to

get educ. regardless of status, gender and age

• Antipasmodic medication - they use it that could prevent muscles

spasms and relax muscles, which could help during surgery.

• Chinampa - form of technology for agri. which land was dividedinto

rectangualr areas surrounded bycanals.
• Invention of the canoe - light narrow boat used for traveling in
water systems

• Chocolates - they developed it. They value the cacaobeans as part

of their offerings to the gods.

• Aztec calendar - enable them to plan their activities, rituals and

planting season.
Development
of
Science in Asia
India

• Indians known for manufacturing iron

• Developed Ayurveda, a system of traditionalmedicine that originated

in ancient India before 2500 BC that is still practiced as form of
alternative medicine.

• Discovered medicinal properties of plants to cure various illnesses.

• Susrutasanmhita of Sustruta - famous text that describes diff. surgical
procedures and other medical proceduresthat are useful in practicing
medicine.

• 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.
• 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.

• They tried to standardized measurement of length to a highdegree

of accuracy and designed a ruler, the Mohenjo-daro ruler.
• Aryabhata (astronomer and mathematician) - introduced a number of
trigonometric functions trigonometric tables, and techniques and
algorithms of algebra.

• Brahmagupta - to provide the formula for the area of a cyclic

quadrilateral. His contributions to geometry are significant. He is the
first person to discuss the method of finding a cyclic quadrilateral
with rational sides.

• Madhava of Sangamagrama - founder of mathematical analysis.

China

• Recognized for alternative medicines product of centuries of

experiences and discovery of the Chinese people.

• Discovered medical properties and uses of different plants and

animals to cure illness.

• Acupuncture developed in China.

• In terms of technology: compass, papermaking, gunpowder and
printing tools.

• Invented other tools like iron plaugh, wheelbarrow and propeller.

• Developed designs of different models of bridges.

• Invented the first seismological detector

• Developed the first dry dock facility

• Preserved several data on supernova, lunar and solar eclipses, and

comets, to understand better the heavenly bodies and their affects
to the world
• Observed heavenly bodies to predict weather changes and seasons.
They used lunar calendars.

• Developed knowledge in seismology that made them more prepared

in times ofnatural calamities.
Middle East Countries

• Muslim scientists put greater value on science experiments rather

than plain thought experiments that led to the introduction of the
scientific method in the Muslim world.

• Ibn al-Haytham (scientist) - Father of Optics, especially for his

empirical proof of the intromission theory of light.
• Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizma gave his name to the concept
of the algorithm and term algebra is derived from al-jabra

• Did several refinements to the Arabis refinements to the Arabic

numeral system such as the introduction of decimal point notation.

• Jabir ibn Hayyan - Father of Chemistry

• He founded the science of experimental medicine and was the first
physician to conduct clinical trials.

• Notable works: Book of Healing and The Canon of Medicine.

• They were used as standard medicinal texts in both Middle East and
Europe.
• Notable works: Book of Healing and The Canon of Medicine.

• They were used as standard medicinal texts in both Middle East and
Europe

• He contributed to the detection of the contagious nature of infectious

diseases and the institution of clinical pharmacology.
 Development
of
Science in Africa
• Egypt was known in Africa to be a center of alchemy, which is
known as the medieval forerunnerof chemistry.

• Egyptians tried to study human anatomy, pharmacology, and

applied vital components to the treatement of diseases:
examination, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis, which exhibits
strong parallels to the basic empirical method of studying science.

• Africans used lunar, solar, and stellar calendar, or a combination of

the three to predict seasons and climates.
• North Africa and Nile Valley imported iron technology or
metallurgy from Near East region that made them famous during
the Bronze Age until the Iron age.

• Invented metal tools used in their homes, in agriculture, and in

constructing their magnificent architectures.
• The Lebombo Bone - tool for multiplication, division, and simple
mathematical calculation or a six-month lunar calendar. It is
considered to be the oldest known mathematical artifact dated from
35000 BCE.

• They have knowledge of the basic concepts of algebra and geometry.