Lesson 1: Historical Antecedents in which Social
Considerations Changed the Course of Science and
Technology (In the World: Ancient, Middle, and Modern
Ages)
Remarkable Events that Happened in the World
Ancient Age
In the ancient times, people were concerned with
transportation and navigation, communication and
recordkeeping, mass production, security and
protection, as well as health, aesthetics, and
architecture.
Sumerian Civilization
Sumer resides at the southernmost region of Ancient
Mesopotamia and is generally considered the cradle of
civilization as the Sumerian civilization is considered to
be the earliest civilization known to man. It was their
discontent for the basic things of life that drove them to
imagine things which have no existed on earth before
and in turn, invent the future.
a. Cuneiform
Cuneiform the system of writing first developed by the
ancient Sumerians around 3500-3000 BCE and is
considered to be the Sumerian civilization’s most
significant cultural contribution.
b. Irrigation and Dikes
grow thereby enabling farmers to cultivate large parcels
of land faster and with relative ease.
f. Roads
The need for faster and easier travels led to the
Sumerians developing the first roads. They first paved
the ground with sunbaked bricks and later replaced this
method by pouring bitumen, a sticky substance similar
to that of modern asphalt.
Babylonian Civilization
Babylonian civilization emerged from near the Tigris
and Euphrates Rivers and is one of the great empires
which dominated the region of Mesopotamia. They
were great builders, engineers, and architects.
a. Hanging Gardens of Babylon
One of their major contributions was the hanging
gardens of Babylon, which is considered today as one
of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
b. Metalwork
The Babylonians were able to obtain different metal
alloys with which they used to produce tools, weapons,
and elements of decorative and utilitarian character
such as metal sculptures. (metals)
c. Paper/Papyrus
Before the invention of paper, clay tablets were used as
