Timeline of historic inventions - Antiquity Era

The timeline of historic inventions is a chronological list of particularly important or significant technological inventions.

Note: Dates for inventions are often controversial. Inventions are often invented by several inventors around the same time, or may be invented in an impractical form many years before another inventor improves the invention into a more practical form. Where there is ambiguity, the date of the first known working version of the invention is used here.

Contents 1 Paleolithic era 2 Antiquity 2.1 10th millennium BCE 2.2 9th millennium BCE 2.3 8th millennium BCE 2.4 7th millennium BCE 2.5 6th millennium BCE 2.6 5th millennium BCE 2.7 4th millennium BCE 2.8 3rd millennium BCE 2.9 2nd millennium BCE 2.10 1st millennium BCE 3 1st millennium CE 3.1 1st-5th centuries 3.2 6th-8th centuries 3.3 9th-10th centuries 4 2nd millennium 4.1 11th century 4.2 12th century 4.3 13th century 4.4 14th century 4.5 15th century 4.6 16th century 4.7 17th century 4.8 18th century 4.9 19th century 4.9.1 1800s 4.9.2 1810s 4.9.3 1820s 4.9.4 1830s 4.9.5 1840s 4.9.6 1850s 4.9.7 1860s 4.9.8 1870s 4.9.9 1880s 4.9.10 1890s 4.10 20th century 4.10.1 1900s 4.10.2 1910s 4.10.3 1920s 4.10.4 1930s 4.10.5 1940s 4.10.6 1950s 4.10.7 1960s 4.10.8 1970s 4.10.9 1980s 4.10.10 1990s 5 3rd millennium 5.1 21st century 5.1.1 2000s 7 See also 8 References 9 External links

 

Antiquity

10th millennium BCE

• Agriculture in the Fertile Crescent (Neolithic Revolution)
• Alcoholic beverages in the Fertile Crescent
• Adobe in the ancient Near East
• 9500 BCE: Granary in the Jordan Valley

9th millennium BCE

• 8700 BCE: Metalworking (copper pendant) in Mesopotamia (Iraq)

8th millennium BCE

• Animal husbandry in the ancient Near East

7th millennium BCE

• 7000 BCE: Dental drill in Mehrgarh, Pakistan^[9]
• 6200 BCE: Map in Çatalhöyük
• Cloth woven from flax fiber

6th millennium BCE

• Irrigation in the Fertile Crescent
• Beer in Sumer, Mesopotamia (Iraq)^[8]
• City in Mesopotamia (Iraq)
• Plough in Mesopotamia (Iraq)

5th millennium BCE

History of technology

By period and location: Neolithic Revolution Egyptian technology Indian technology Chinese technology Greek technology Roman technology Muslim technology Muslim Agricultural Revolution Medieval technology Renaissance technology British Agricultural Revolution Industrial Revolution Second Industrial Revolution Atomic Age Jet Age Space Age Information Age By type of technology: History of biotechnology History of communication History of computer hardware History of electrical engineering History of materials science History of measurement History of medicine History of nuclear technology History of transport Technology timelines: Timeline of historic inventions Complete list

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• Wheel and axle combination in Mesopotamia
• Beer and bread in Egypt
• Bow drill in Mehrgarh, Pakistan^[10]
• Ice skate in Scandinavia^[11]
• Sailing in Mespotamia^[12]

4th millennium BCE

• 4000 BCE: Canal in Mesopotamia (Iraq)
• 4000 BCE: Stone paved street in Ur, Mesopotamia
• 3807-3806 BCE: Timber-engineered roadway in England
• 3630 BCE: Silk in China
• 3600 BCE: Free-standing Masonry Architecture at Ġgantija, Gozo, Malta
• 3500 BCE: Plywood in Egypt
• 3500 BCE: Writing in Sumer
• 3500 BCE: Carts in Sumer
• 3100 BCE: Drainage in the Indus Valley Civilization (India/Pakistan)
• 3000 BCE: Reservoir in Girnar, Indus Valley Civilization^[13]
• Bronze: Susa, Iran
• Comb in Persia (Iran)
• Cement in Egypt
• River boats in Egypt
• Noodle in China

3rd millennium BCE

• 2800 BCE: Soap in Mesopotamia
• 2800 BCE: Button in the Indus Valley Civilization (India/Pakistan)
• 2800 BCE: Bathroom in the Indus Valley Civilization^[14]
• 2800 BCE: Toilet in Mohenjo-daro, Indus Valley Civilization^[14]
• 2700 BCE: Plumbing in the Indus Valley Civilization^[14]
• 2700 BCE: Sanitary sewer in the Indus Valley Civilization^[14]
• 2700 BCE: Sewage collection and disposal in the Indus Valley Civilization^[14]
• 2630-2611 BCE: Step pyramid: Imhotep in Egypt
• 2600s BCE: Papyrus: Imhotep in Egypt
• 2600s BCE: Suture: Imhotep in Egypt
• 2600s BCE: Pharmaceutical cream: Imhotep in Egypt
• 2600 BCE: Bangle in Mohenjo-daro, Indus Valley Civilization^[15]
• 2600 BCE: Chariot in Mesopotamia
• 2600 BCE: Urban planning in the Indus Valley Civilization^[16][17]
• 2500s BCE: Flush toilet in Harappa and Mohenjo-daro, Indus Valley Civilization^[18]
• 2500s BCE: Stepwell in Mohenjo-daro, Indus Valley Civilization^[19]
• 2500 BCE: Arch in Mohenjo-daro, Indus Valley Civilization^[20]
• 2500 BCE: Animal-drawn plough in the Indus Valley Civilization^[21]
• 2500 BCE: Puppet in the Indus Valley Civilization^[22]
• 2500-1900 BCE: Furnace in Balakot, Indus Valley Civilization^[23]
• 2500-900 BCE: Oven in Balakot, Indus Valley Civilization^[23]
• 2400 BCE: Shipyard in Lothal, Indus Valley Civilization
• 2400 BCE: Dock in Lothal, Indus Valley Civilization^[24]
• 2400 BCE: Ruler in Lothal, Indus Valley Civilization^[25]
• 2000 BCE: Cockfighting in the Indus Valley Civilization^[26]
• 2000 BCE: Currency
• Dice in the Indus Valley Civilization^[27]
• Dye in Mohenjo-daro, Indus Valley Civilization^[28]
• Public bath in Mohenjo-daro, Indus Valley Civilization^[29]
• Aqueduct in ancient Egypt and Indus Valley Civilization
• Candles in Egypt
• Dagger in Near East
• Sickle-sword in Sumer
• Alphabet in Phoenicia
• Ink in China
• Sledges in Scandinavia
• Ski in Scandinavia^[8]

2nd millennium BCE

• Iron in Anatolia, Caucasus and India
• Perfume: Tapputi in Mesopotamia
• Bronze Age sword in Mesopotamia
• Glass in Egypt^[30]
• Rubber in Mesoamerica
• Spoked-wheel chariot: Indo-Iranians
• Water clock in Egypt
• Iron Age sword Proto-Celtic
• Bells in China
• Fork in China^[31]
• Umbrella in Mesopotamia
• Calibration in the Indus Valley Civilization^[32]
• Metrology in the Indus Valley Civilization^[32]
• Tin-glazing in Mesopotamia^[33]
• 1900 BCE: Veterinary medicine in ancient Egypt and Vedic India^[34]
• 1500-400 BCE: Kabaddi in India^[35]
• 1300–1000 BCE: Zinc in India^[36]
• 1000s BCE: Coins in China
• 1000 BCE: Lens in Assyria
• 1000 BCE: Central heating: Ondol in Korea^[37]‹The template Source not reliable is being considered for deletion.› ^{[unreliable source]}
• 1000 BCE: Underfloor heating: Ondol in Korea^[37]‹The template Source not reliable is being considered for deletion.› ^{[unreliable source]}

1st millennium BCE

• 1000 BCE: Dike in the Indus Valley Civilization^[38]
• 750 BCE: Celestial spheres in ancient Greece^[39]
• 700s BCE: Button in Ancient Greece, Etruscan civilization^[8]
• 700 BCE: Chain pump in Babylonia
• 600s BCE: Latin alphabet in Ancient Rome
• 600 BCE: Chopsticks in China
• 592 BCE: Anchor in ancient Greece^[40]
• 500s BCE: Sugar in India
• 500s BCE: Dental bridge in Etruria
• 500s BCE: Kite: Lu Ban in China
• 500s BCE: Maps in ancient Greece^[41]
• 500s BCE: Plastic surgery: Sushruta in India
• 500s BCE: Cosmetic surgery: Sushruta
• 500s BCE: Rhinoplasty: Sushruta
• 500s BCE: Cataract surgery: Sushruta^[42]
• 500 BCE: Iron plough in China
• 500-100 BCE: Big-toe stirrup in India^[43][44]
• 499-477 BCE: Horse collar in China^[45]
• 475 BCE: Scythed Chariot: Ajatashatru in India
• 400s BCE: Linguistics: Pāṇini in India^[46]
• 400s BCE: Traction trebuchet in China
• 400s BCE: Catapult in ancient Greece^[47]
• 400s BCE: Cast iron in China
• 400s BCE: Crossbow in China
• 350 BCE: Water wheel in India^[48]
• 350 BCE: Watermill in India^[48]
• 300s BCE: Noria in India^[48]
• c. 300 BCE: Wootz steel in India^[49]
• 300 BCE: Crucible steel in India^[50]
• 300s BCE: Roman aqueduct in ancient Rome^[51]
• 300s BCE: Compass in China
• 300s BCE: Star catalogues: Gan De and Shi Shen
• 300s BCE: Encyclopedia: Speusippus in ancient Greece^[8]
• 300s BCE: Screw: Archytas
• 300s BCE: India ink in India
• 300-100 BCE: Blast furnace in China
• 300-100 BCE: Cupola furnace in China
• 300-100 BCE: Pig iron in China
• 200s BCE: Diamond gemstone in India^[52]
• 200s BC: Clockwork escapement mechanism: Philo of Byzantium of Ancient Greece^[53]
• 285 BCE: Suspension bridge in China
• 250 BCE: Lever in ancient Greece
• 210 BCE: Chromium use in China
• 200s BCE: Compound pulley: Archimedes
• 200s BCE: Odometer: Archimedes?
• 200s BCE: Archimedes' screw : Archimedes
• 200s BCE: Cashmere wool in India^[54]
• 200s BCE: Contour canal: Shi Lu in China
• 200s BCE: Lock gate in China
• 200s BCE: Stupa in India^[55]
• 200s BCE: Pagoda in India^[55]
• 202-1 BCE: Bellows in China
• 200 BCE: Horseshoe in ancient Rome
• 150s BCE: Clockwork (Antikythera mechanism)
• 150s BCE: Astrolabe: Hipparchus
• 100 BCE: Glassblowing in ancient Rome^[56]
• 100s BCE: Parchment in Pergamon
• 500 BCE: Heavy plough in China
• 100s BCE: Wheelbarrow in China^[57]
• 100 BCE: Trip hammer in China
• 52 BCE: Armillary sphere: Geng Shouchang in China
• 40 BCE: Rolling-element bearing in Roman ship
• 21 BCE: Collapsable umbrella: Wang Mang^[58]
• Cautery in Ancient Rome^[59]
• Speculum in Ancient Rome^[59]
• Cross-bladed scissors in Ancient Rome^[59][60]
• Surgical needle in Ancient Rome^[59]
• Catapult in ancient Near East
• South Pointing Chariot in China
• Differential gear in China and Greek island of Antikythera
• Flash lock in China
• Bookbinding in India
• Blowgun in India^[61]
• Indigo dye in India^[62]
• Iron pellet in India^[61]
• Jute in Bengal^[63]
• Prayer flags in India
• Toothbrush: Neem in India

See also

• List of inventors
• List of emerging technologies
• English inventions and discoveries
• Inventions of the Islamic Golden Age
• List of Australian inventions
• List of Chinese inventions
• List of Indian inventions and discoveries
• List of Japanese inventions
• List of Korean inventions
• List of United States inventions
• Scottish inventions and discoveries
• Welsh inventions and discoveries

References

• Alter, J. S. in "Kabaddi, a national sport of India". Dyck, Noel (2000). Games, Sports and Cultures. Berg Publishers: ISBN 1859733174.
• Asimov, Isaac, "Asimov's Chronology of Science and Discovery", Harper & Row, 1989. ISBN 0-06-015612-0
• Bedini, Silvio A. (1994). The Trail of Time : Time Measurement with Incense in East Asia. England: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521374820.
• Chamberlin, J. Edward (2007). Horse: How the Horse Has Shaped Civilizations. Moscow: Olma Media Group. ISBN 1904955363.
• Dales, George (1974). "Excavations at Balakot, Pakistan, 1973". Journal of Field Archaeology 1 (1-2): 3-22 [10]. 
• Davreu, Robert (1978). "Cities of Mystery: The Lost Empire of the Indus Valley". The World’s Last Mysteries. (second edition). Sydney: Readers’ Digest. ISBN 0909486611
• De Bono, Edward, "Eureka! An Illustrated History of Inventions from the Wheel to the Computer", Thames & Hudson, 1974.
• Finger, Stanley (2001). Origins of Neuroscience: A History of Explorations Into Brain Function. England: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0195146948.
• Ghosh, Amalananda (1990). An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology. Brill. ISBN 9004092641.
• Ghosh, S.; Massey, Reginald; and Banerjee, Utpal Kumar (2006). Indian Puppets: Past, Present and Future. Abhinav Publications. ISBN 817017435X.
• Gowlett, John, "Ascent to Civilization", McGraw-Hill, Inc., 1992. ISBN 0-07-544312-0
• Juleff, G. (1996). An ancient wind powered iron smelting technology in Sri Lanka. Nature 379 (3): 60–63.
• Koppel, Tom (2007). Ebb and Flow: Tides and Life on Our Once and Future Planet. Dundurn Press Ltd. ISBN 1550027263.
• Livingston, Morna & Beach, Milo (2002). Steps to Water: The Ancient Stepwells of India. Princeton Architectural Press. ISBN 1568983247.
• Needham, Joseph (1954-1986), Science and Civilisation in China, Cambridge University Press 
• Platt, Richard, "Eureka!: Great Inventions and How They Happened", 2003.
• Pruthi, Raj (2004). Prehistory and Harappan Civilization. New Delhi: APH Publishing Corp. ISBN 8176485810.
• Schafer, Edward H. (1963). The Golden Peaches of Samarkand: A Study of T'ang Exotics. California: University of California Press. ISBN 0520054628.
• Srinivasan, S. & Ranganathan, S. Wootz Steel: An Advanced Material of the Ancient World. Bangalore: Indian Institute of Science.
• Thrusfield, Michael (2007). Veterinary Epidemiology. Blackwell Publishing. ISBN 1405156279.
• Whitelaw, Ian (2007). A Measure of All Things: The Story of Man and Measurement. Macmillan. ISBN 0312370261.

External links

• History of Human Technology
• Encyclopædia Britannica's Great Inventions
• KryssTal History and Geography of Inventions