Cradles of Early Science

This set of flashcards covers the scientific and technological contributions of major ancient civilizations in Mesoamerica, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East as discussed in STS Lesson 1.2.

Civilization

A complex way of life characterized by the urbanization of a community, division of labor (social stratification), and shared methods of communication beyond natural spoken language such as a writing system.

Mesopotamia

The region where the earliest civilizations developed between $4000$ and $3000$ B.C.E. because the rise of agriculture and trade allowed for surplus food and economic stability.

Haab Calendar

A Mayan calendar system based on the solar cycles consisting of $365$ days.

Tzolkin Calendar

A Mayan calendar system of $260$ days related to agricultural cycles, religious rituals, and the movement of celestial bodies.

Temple of Kukulcán (El Castillo)

A well-designed pyramid at Chichén Itzá, Mexico, used by the Maya to conduct naked-eye astronomical observations of the sun, moon, and planets.

Mayan Hieroglyphics

One of the world's first writing systems, developed by the Maya civilization.

Mayan positional number system

A number system based on the numeral $20$ that included the concept of zero and positional value.

Quipu

A system of knotted ropes used by the Inca civilization for record-keeping.

Inca Textiles

One of the specialized artistic and technological developments of the Inca, alongside their stone roads and irrigation systems.

Aztec Civilization

A Mesoamerican culture flourishing in central Mexico from the $14^{th}$ to $16^{th}$ centuries, primarily composed of ethnic groups speaking the Nahuatl language.

Chinampa

An Aztec agricultural technology consisting of rectangular lands divided by canals to ensure food security.

Ayurveda

A system of traditional medicine developed in ancient India that used the medicinal properties of plants to cure illnesses.

Susrutasamhita of Sustruta

An ancient Indian text that describes various surgical and medical procedures.

Siddhanta Shiromani

A text reflecting ancient Indian interests in astronomy, including planetary longitudes, eclipses, and the paths of the sun and moon.

Mohenjo-daro ruler

An ivory ruler used in ancient India to standardize the measurement of length.

Aryabhata

An ancient Indian mathematician who introduced trigonometric functions and techniques of algebra.

Brahmagupta

An Indian mathematician noted for his contributions to the Hindu-Arabic numeral system.

Madhava

The Indian mathematician considered the founder of mathematical analysis.

Acupuncture

A medical method developed in ancient China involving the use of needles.

Seismological detector

An ancient Chinese invention used to detect and record seismic activity.

Golden Age of Islam

A period of intellectualization from the $7^{th}$ to $13^{th}$ century where Muslim scientists prioritized empirical experiments.

Ibn al-Haytam

Known as the Father of Optics, he provided empirical proof for the intromission theory of light.

Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi

A Middle Eastern mathematician who introduced the concept of the algorithm and the term algebra ($al-jabr$).

Jabir ibn Hayyan

Known as the Father of Chemistry, he provided extensive descriptions of the qualities of different metals.

Ibn Sina

The first physician to conduct clinical trials and the founder of the science of experimental medicine.

Lebombo Bone

Dated from $3500$ BCE, it is the oldest known mathematical artifact, found in Africa.

Egyptian Geometry

A branch of mathematics developed by Egyptians to preserve the layout and ownership of farmlands along the Nile River.