Ancient Technologies We Can't Figure Out

We are a very advanced society, having built on knowledge of previous generations and having kept records and learnings.

There are, however some ancient inventions or methods that are better than what we do today.

Brewing Beer, and curing hangovers.

Perhaps the movie ‘Hangover’ would not exist in ancient Egypt, not only because they didn’t have the technology to make movies but also because they knew how to cure hangovers.

First, they brewed their beer from fermentation of wheat using the sun and heat. They added herbs and spices and other ingredients. The result was a drink that made them warm and happy. If they got too drunk, they had an interesting antidote. They used to wrap Alexandrian Laurel around their necks. This apparently cures a hangover instantly. If you are reading this, have you ever tried such a remedy for hangovers? I am not a big drinker, so would be interested to know if this works?

Paper

Papyrus from Egypt as paper has remained intact for thousands of years. This is far more durable than the paper we have today. I doubt our paper today would last hundreds of years, never mind thousands of years.

Concrete

Roman concrete is far more durable and stronger than the concrete we make today. It was also more environmentally friendly. They made it from volcanic rock, lime and sea water. Modern cement production emits significant amounts of carbon into the atmosphere.

Astronomy

The ancients had an incredible understanding of the cosmos and its movements.

The evidence of this is from the ancient Greek ceramics depicting star constellations and the megalithic lunar calendar that was found in Scotland.

Scientists today cannot understand how they predicted cosmological movements so precisely with no advanced technology.

Stone Cutting

The precise stone cutting and designs and angles achieved we cannot replicate today, even with the most advanced technology.

There is stonework in Bolivia that looks as if they cut the stones using a diamond tool, but how did they do it? So precise are the angles and corners etc. Huge blocks interlock with each other and there are absolutely no chisel marks?

Steel

A steel known as Damascus steel. This Damascus steel is stronger than iron and flexible, but sharp as well. The weapons made from it were so strong that they could slice through other weapons made from other metals.

Damascus steel was so advanced that we cannot create anything like it today, so how did they do it?

Walls

Building walls. The Inca wall building still baffles scientists today, they are not sure how they built these walls without modern technology. These walls are dry stone walls and comprise huge blocks that are cut to fit perfectly together. There is no cement or mortar holding them together.

They have tried many times to recreate such walls, but no attempts have been successful.

Weapons

Today, our weapons to cause mass destruction and death are far superior to the ancients. If we consider the capacity to wipe out our own species to be advanced? It seems rather backward, but that is where we are.

There was, in the 7th century, a fire bomb type weapon that the Greek ships used. This fire would cling to the flesh and water could not extinguish it.

Water systems

The water system of the Wari Empire, which existed around about 1,000 years ago in modern day Peru. They built an advanced water collection and conservation system, where they collected water in the mountains during the rainy season, then they set up an intricate canal network which they also connected to mountain streams. The canals would carry the water and feed the springs further down the mountain, in order to maintain the flow of the rivers during the dry season. The Peruvian government is having current water problems and is even looking at reviving the ancient water system as a solution.

Agriculture and wastewater treatments

The floating gardens of Mexico were so advanced, in the methods of irrigation, agriculture and wastewater management, that modern attempts to mimic the floating gardens have failed. This Aztec technology still baffles us today.

So What?

The next time we look at ancient civilizations as uncivilized and savage, we would do well to remember that, in many aspects, they were extremely advanced. We live in a society that thinks playing with viruses and diseases and chemicals and nuclear weapons makes us advanced, while we risk wiping ourselves out. How advanced are we really?