Ancient civilizations gave us many important ideas that still impact our science and technology today. Let’s explore some of their big contributions!
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Mathematics:
- The Babylonians created a number system based on 60. This is why we have 60 seconds in a minute and 60 minutes in an hour.
- The ancient Egyptians were great at using shapes in building. They applied geometry when they constructed pyramids. They even came up with simple formulas, like how to find the area of a triangle:
A=21×base×height.
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Astronomy:
- The Mayans created very accurate calendars by studying the stars and planets. They could even predict when solar eclipses would happen.
- In ancient Greece, Ptolemy and others developed models of the universe, which were important for future studies in astronomy.
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Medicine:
- Hippocrates, known as the "Father of Medicine," started a method for doctors to observe and understand patients better.
- The ancient Egyptians had medical knowledge too. They practiced surgeries and used plants for healing, some of which are still used today.
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Engineering:
- The Romans were amazing builders. They constructed roads and aqueducts, which are channels for water. At one time, their road system was over 400,000 kilometers long!
- In ancient China, they invented paper around 105 AD. This changed how people communicated.
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Metallurgy:
- Around 3300 BC, the people in Mesopotamia started using bronze. This was a big deal because it made tools and weapons much better.
These early discoveries helped build the world we live in now. They show how much we owe to those ancient civilizations and their lasting impact on our lives today.