Science in the ancient world
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Science in the ancient world encompasses the earliest history of science from the protoscience of prehistory and ancient history to late antiquity. In ancient times, culture and knowledge were passed
Mesopotamian clay tablet-letter from 2400 BC, Louvre (from King of Lagash, found at Girsu)
Megaliths from Nabta Playa, constructed by Neolithic populations, located in Aswan, Upper Egypt. Excavations of the megalith structures were completed in 2008.
Scholar Nersi with Anahita in Persia
Plato and Aristotle (The School of Athens, 1511)
Zhang Heng
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Zhang Heng, courtesy name Pingzi, formerly romanized Chang Heng, was a Chinese polymathic scientist and statesman who lived during the Eastern Han dynasty. Educated in the capital cities of Luoyang an
A statue depicting Zhang Heng at his tomb in Nanyang, Henan province, China
A pottery miniature of a palace made during the Han dynasty; as a palace attendant, Zhang Heng had personal access to Emperor Shun and the right to escort him
Eastern Han tomb brick depicting the courtyard of a wealthy family's home. Zhang enjoyed a short period of retirement at his home in Xi'e, Nanyang, before being called back to the capital, where he died in 139.
Eastern Han tomb models of watchtowers; the one on the left has crossbowmen in the top balcony. Zhang wrote that Western Han emperors were entertained by displays of archery from the balconies of towers along Chang'an's Kunming Lake.