Technology In the Ancient World

The author sensibly points out that many archeological estimates are in fact just guesses that may change over time as new information is obtained. Chapter 1 is an absolute must read as it addresses the concept of scientific facts in very clear prose with visual samples of unclear data as well as common conjectures debated. The author also addresses the difference between inventing something, getting public buy in and actually spreading it beyond your region. Oddly, while he is quite patient and clear about this for pre-ancient Greek tech, he has a change of heart when discussing Roman tech and comes close to bashing them as idiots only capable of recycling ideas from other people. Then he remembered that they invented this, that and the other thing reminding me of the Life of Brian movie, "After all, what have the Romans ever done for us?" He also seemed to dislike engineers as if they are somehow beneath philosophers or inventors neglecting that for a very long period of time, they were considered one and the same. I did not enjoy reading the last two chapters on Romans and Barbarians for this reason.But setting that aside, it is a wonderful read because the author walks a timeline identifying life changing tech and explaining why it is in fact life changing. He provides examples identifying why it is believed to have originated somewhere, how far it spread when it did and what some people preferred to do instead. The author may have fallen into a trap after written records became available as his analysis became pickier but it was only observed in the last two chapters.Over all it reads like an introduction to archaelogy with it's many keen observations and many weaknesses. I could not put it down after I started.I would give it 5 stars even though I am by trade an engineer except that it was written in 1970 despite the 1992 publish date and does not appear to have been updated so some of the theories are no longer true and I bought it hoping for a newer point of view.

First, this book is outdated- it was written in 1970 and there has been a massive increase in knowledge since then. Maybe this book would work as a very basic primary, but I found it frustrating because it's missing major pieces of technology. For example, there are just 4 sentences on Roman concrete, which lead with: "Probably the Romans' greatest contribution to building was the development of the brick-and-concrete arch". While this is a major innovation, it misses the application of concrete to unreinforced domes (The Pantheon, which still has the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world 2000 years later), and the invention of concrete that could be set underwater. Together, Roman use of concrete was unrivaled until the 19th century. Then there's ships. There's no mention of the Nemi ships, which were known about since their recovery in 1930. Despite this the author says, "Even by the fifth century AD Roman merchant shipping was much as it had been inherited from the Greeks: fairly short vessels high at both bow and stern." The Nemi ships were 240 feet long, and Roman historians recorded that Caligula also built a 400 foot ship to bring over the "Vatican" obelisk from Egypt. Today we know the Romans had routine two-masted ocean-going ships at least 140 feet in length based on the wrecks of the Madrague de Giens and the Albenga, although both these wrecks were initially found just before this book was published. Since the Nelson's HMS Victory was 227 feet long, I'm not sure what the author thought a "long" ship would be. I would at least recommend Landels as an alternate book.

The author, while at times a bit, to me, touched with a bit of his personal feelings, writes clearly and gave me new insights into some of the way history connects the dots between different professions and activities. He shows the interplay between art, art history, sociology, geology, and others. As a future art teacher, K. through 12, it gives me the language tools to make these connections come alive for the younger AND the older set. RECOMMENDED for anyone.

I almost always have 2-3 books going at a time 1 for fun and 2 for learning. This was for learning but it was also readily readable...not "test book" writing. Some information was so interesting that I computer searched for more details. Liked it enough that I am passing it on to one of my sons.

I could not find any books on this topic... plenty if web info, but this 12 year old wanted books.Though the book is used, it looks like NEW. I think he will still be happy as this was first on his wish list.

Great item, fast shipping, careful packaging. Thanks very much!

No problems with purchase or packaging of item received.

Very interesting survey of older methods of performing various works.

Written by a scholar in the subject but in an easily readable style, the author takes us on a ride from the earliest history (c. 4000 BC) to the end of the Roman era. The chronological format enables him to convey the sweep and progress of ancient technology, staring in Egypt and Mesopatania and moving westward to Greece and then Rome. He covers agriculture, building, metal working, weaponry, transportation, textiles, irrigation, pottery, and shows how each step is built on its predeccessor. Photos and line illustrations abound. He sticks to the known facts and resists speculation.The main part of the book centres on the civilisations of the Nile and Eupharates and then Greece and Rome. A penultimate chapter looks breifly at the the Indus region, China, the Steppes, Northwest Europe and South America . I suspect that more is known about those areas since this book was written.I would have liked more technical detail about metal extraction , mining, textiles and axles.

I haven't read it yet, but it looks exactly what I was looking for: a serious text with good carbon illustrations and a deep historical background. Additionally, despite being second hand, it came in mint condition.

A good overall account anyone i interested in ancient technology this book is an excellent starting point.