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Module 1 Historical Antecedents in The Course of Science and Technology
Module 1 Historical Antecedents in The Course of Science and Technology
In this module, you will learn the about the ancient history and the early civilization.
You will study the different technological advancements during the ancient times, which include some of
the achievements of the early civilizations such as Sumerians, Babylonians, and Egyptians.
1. Explain how science and technology affected the society and environment and vice versa;
2. Identify inventions and discoveries that changed the world over the course of history and;
3. Discuss the scientific and technological developments in the Philippines.
INTRODUCTION
Science comes from the Latin word scienctia, meaning ‘knowledge.’ It refers to a systematic and
methodical activity of building and organizing knowledge about how the universe behaves through
observation, experimentation or both.
Technology, for its part, is the application of scientific knowledge, laws, and principles to produce
services, materials, tools, and machines aimed at solving real-world problems. It comes from the Greek root
word techne, meaning ‘art, skill, or cunning of hand.’
According to Albert Einstein, “it is not knowledge if you only derived it from books but if you can derive
it on numbers, it is considered knowledge.” Because numbers are the application of knowledge and
technology is the application of numbers and science.
LESSON 1
Let’s Read
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.
Transportation was significant during that time because people were trying to go places and discover
new horizons. They are travelling to search for food and find better locations for their settlements. They
also travelled to trade their surplus goods in exchange for things that they lacked.
Communication was also essential in their endeavors to discover and occupy new places. They needed a
way to communicate with the natives of the areas they visited so as to facilitate trade and prevent possible
conflicts.
The increase in size and number of nations connoted increased demand for food and other basic
necessities, this condition also implied that the people must be able to produce food at a given time and
space since resources were getting scarcer as more people struggled to share the basic necessities. The
people thus needed a form of technology that would enable them to increase food supplies and other
survival needs.
SUMERIAN CIVILAZATION
CUNIEFORM
Another important contribution of the Sumerians is the City of Uruk. It is a great wonder not only because
it is considered to be the first true city in the world but also for the way it was erected. There were no
building stones in the location of this city and lumber was limited, making the construction a big challenge.
The Sumerians we re able to build the city using only mud or clay from the river, which they mixed with
reeds, producing sunbaked bricks-a true engineering feat. They used the bricks to make houses that
protected them from the harsh weather and to build a wall around the city that prevented wild animals and
neighboring raiders from entering.
As population increase, so did the demand for food. The Sumerians were challenged to mass produce
items but the elements in the environment seemed uncooperative. It was difficult to get water form the
rivers, thus they could not maintain farmlands. Some groups had scarce water supply, while others had
problems with flooding caused by the river. As a solution to this dilemma, the Sumerians created dikes and
irrigation canals to bring water to farmlands and at the same time control the flooding of the rivers. This
method was considered as one of the world’s most beneficial engineering works.
SAIL BOATS
WHEEL
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In the latter part of their history, the Sumerians were able to invent the wheel since the specialized tools
needed to create it were already available. The first wheels were not made for transportation but for farm
work and food process. With the use of the wheel and axel, mass production was made easier. Farmers
were able to mill grains with less effort in less time.
THE PLOW
ROADS
BABYLONIAN CIVILIZATION
EGYPITAN CIVILIZATION
PAPER OR PAPYRUS
INK
When Egyptians invented the papyrus or the paper, engraving ceased to be used in writing. As a result,
the Egyptians invented ink by combining soot with different chemicals to produce inks of different colors.
HEIROGLYPHICS
Cosmetics nowadays are essentials in building your self confidence but did you know that the cosmetics
that we are using right now is invented by the Egyptians? Although cosmetics in the modern times are used
to improve and highlight the facial features of a person, their function in ancient Egypt was for both health
and aesthetic.
For example, Egyptians wore kohl around the eyes to prevent and even cure eye diseases. Kohl was
created by mixing soon or malachite with mineral galena.
Another cosmetic invention of ancient Egyptian is the wig. Nowadays, wigs are used to enhance the
appearance of people who are balding or those who want to try new hair trends. Meanwhile, during the
ancient Egyptian times, they were used for health and wellness rather than for aesthetic purposes. They
used it to cover their head from the harmful rays of the sun.
WATER CLOCK/CLEPSYDRA
Another important ancient Egyptian contribution is the water clock. This device
utilizes gravity that affects the flow of water from on vessel to another. This
invention also leads to our modern-day clock through series of improvement done
by the succeeding civilization.
GREEK CIVILIZATION
The first proponents of an atomic theory were the Greek philosophers Leucippus and Democritus in the
field of science and on the field of math they have Pythagoras who was perhaps the first to realize that a
complete system of mathematics could be constructed and later called Pythagorean Theorem.
ALARM CLOCK
This invention according to the scientist resembles that of the Egyptians but this is more complex but
more accurate.
WATER MILL
ROMAN CIVILIZATION
The Roman Empire was perceived to be the strongest political and social entity in the west. Political
because of its huge population and territory and social because of religion. It was considered to be the
cradle of politics and governance during the period. Because the Roman Empire was so large, other
civilizations looked up to it as their model in terms of legislation and codified law. That is why many other
civilizations were conquered by the Roman Empire because of its existing laws which make it more
complex and more stable compared to the other civilizations or empire.
The following are the inventions and innovations of the Roman Empire.
Newspaper
Bound Books or Codex
Roman Architecture
Roman numerals
All of the above-mentioned inventions are still existing in this present-day civilization and are used in the
entire world. The most famous is the newspaper which is globally used by different races.
CHINESE CIVILIZATION
China even until know controls the production of almost everything. Most of the things like gadget,
furniture, weapon, medicine, basic necessities, any many other are made in China. That is why Chinese
economy is getting bigger and its control over the international politics is indeed very impressive.
LESSON 2
MEDIEVAL/MIDDLE AGES
PRINTING PRESS
MICROSCOPE
medicines for the illness, experts must understand the sickness through investigation that is why the
invented this device to magnify the small things that are invisible to the naked eye.
TELESCOPE
Since the Middle Ages was also known as the age of exploration, the need
for nautical inventions was high. Considering the vast and empty oceans that
separated lands, ship captains needed to see far and wide for them to
navigate or avoid dangers at sea.
WAR WEAPON
LESSON 3
MODERN TIMES
PASTEURIZATION
As people were able to develop better means of production to meet the needs of the population, food
preservation and food safety became an issue. The challenge to keep manufactured from deteriorating was
greater for dairy products, especially milk, since they usually spoiled faster. If this food is not consumed
immediately after the production, it might lead to food poisoning, diphtheria, and typhoid fever.
Louise Pasture, a French biologist, microbiologist, and chemist, found a way to solve the problem. He
invented pasteurization, the process of heating dairy products to kill the harmful bacteria that allow the m
so spoil faster. Through this process, milk could be stored and consumed for a longer period.
PETROLEUM REFINERY
TELEPHONE
CALCULATOR
LESSON 4
PHILIPPINE INVENTIONS
Despite being considered a developing country, the Philippines also contributes to the global
advancement of science and technology. We have a group of inventors called the Filipino Inventors Society
which aims to remedy the needs of the consumers by inventing useful machines that could help us in our
everyday living. These inventors are supported by the DOST or the Department of Science and
Technology.
These inventions are being recognized and being used all over the world. According to the Filipino
Inventors Society Secretary Fortunato de la Pena, “we may lack of resources, but our minds are filled with
knowledge” which is true. As a Filipino, we know how to be patient and how to curl when the blanket is
short meaning, we find ways in every problem that we face.
The items discussed in this chapter are only some of the great inventions and developments during the
different time periods. There are still more innovations and discoveries that were made in the course of
history that changed the world.
Answer Me!
IF I WERE AN INVENTOR…
Direction: in this section, you learned that necessity is the mother of inventions and innovations. In this
task, you will address this question: “if you were an inventor, what would you invent?” in
thinking about an invention, make sure that you come up with one that has not been invented yet
but is possible to be invented in the near future. On the space below, sketch a draft of your
invention then answer the questions that follow. Make sure to put some color and life in it.
2. How is your invention similar to or different form existing tools or technologies in terms of
function?
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3. Why is there a need for this invention? How will this invention make the world a better place to live
in?
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Direction: Answer the following questions and write your answer on the space provided.
1. Give three other major scientific and technological developments in the world (or in the
Philippines) that created a large impact on your daily life
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2. What historical antecedents gave rise to the inventions you mentioned in the first question?
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3. How did the developments in science and technology shape human history? (essay, use at least 5
sentences to explain your answer) 5 pts.
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4. What do you think is the importance of progressive invention? (essay, use at least 5 sentences to
explain your answer) 5 pts.
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5. Give 5 inventions from the past civilizations that are still used these days.
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