Science and Technology in Pre- Colonial Asian Studies

April 13, 2011

Topics: Pre-Colonial Science and Technology in the Third World

Poverty and Triumphs of Chinese Science and Technology

Mechanical Engineering in the Medieval East

Preview:

Pre-colonial Asian Science and Technology in the Third World: Periods are Indus Civilization, Vedic and Post-Vedic and Indus Civilization. 

* agriculture based: dams, granaries, irrigation, products: wheat, barley, banana, peas, melons, cotton
*architecture- automatic layout, modern drainage & sewerage
*pottery-carving of steatite, originality, detail 

Pre-colonial science were tied closely to the ethnic environment in which they had arisen. This resulted to the restriction of possible contacts and transmissions in the realm of scientific ideas. Primarily because of the difficulty of finding a common basis of discourse for people of different cultures. 

The history of science and technology in China is both long and rich with many contributions to science and technology.

Among the earliest inventions were the abacus, the "shadow clock," and the first flying machines such as kites and Kongming lanterns. The four Great Inventions of ancient China: the compass, gunpowder, papermaking, and printing, were among the most important technological advances, only known in Europe by the end of the Middle Ages. The Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906) in particular, was a time of great innovation. A good deal of exchange occurred between Western and Chinese discoveries up to the Qing Dynasty. 

 

Science and technology in Middle East-- 

Following the rise of Islam in the seventh century C.E., science and technology flourished in the Islamic world to a far greater extent than they did in the West. Muslim rulers promoted the translation of Greek philosophy and science texts, and then encouraged further scientific exploration in numerous fields, among them mathematics, astronomy, medicine, pharmacology, optics, chemistry, botany, philosophy, and physics.

In mathematics, Muslim scholars introduced the use of zero, solutions to quadratic equations — even the Arabic word “algebra.”

 Medicine was one of the most important fields of endeavor. Muslim doctors were surgically removing cataracts and treating kidney and gallstones while Europeans were still using leeches on their patients.

source: wikipedia, http://www.crystalinks.com/chinascience.html

Narratives/ Things I learned

In the end of the discussion, I learned about the pre-colonial inventions and technology from China, India and Middle East.

Each places made a great technological advancement. From a simple invention to great variety useful inventions, marked the development of science and technology. In the third world, the focused of their inventions was more on the cultural and astronomical significance of it and  some of their known inventions are  calendar, atom etc.In the Chinese history, their focused was more on inventions that affects the trading system. They invented counting machines and medicines that conserved their lifestyle like acupuncture.China has 4 great inventions and these are: Compass,gunpowder, paper and printing. In the Medieval times, most of the inventions were focused on the significance of time. they invented different clocks and robot.

The group presented the topics through different activities that caught the attention of the class to attentively listen to the discussion.

Yes, indeed, the inventions of three colonial places added up to the advancement of science and technology in the world. Most of their inventions was very useful until now: like clocks and calendars that determines the significance of time and months.Their inventions was a great help to the lives of people.