Ancient Civilizations
What is Ancient Egypt?
This system helps move wastewater out of bathrooms (to where, who knows!?).
What is indoor plumbing?
The inhabitants of the Indus River Valley are well-known for laying out their neighborhoods using a blueprint. This system is now seen as crucial for well-organized public spaces.
What is city-planning?
What is concrete?
This civilization is named for the river that runs through it.
What is the Indus River Valley?
Ancient China mixed together bamboo pulp and cotton but humans have used leaves, sponges, and (gasp) hands and water to make sure nothing is left...behind! We are all grateful for this material.
What is toilet paper?
The Ancient Egyptians weren't the only ones to develop this invention used to keep track of farming cycles, but we do base our own system on its 356 day calculations.
What is the calendar?
This ancient system really gained traction with the later invention of paddle boats and trains. It was first used to open and close doors.
What is the steam-powered engine?
This ancient civilization shares the same name (and location) as this current Asian country.
What is ancient China?
This material is made from worm habitats but can be quite expensive.
What is silk?
This ancient invention began as the machine for producing epic amounts of pottery but found later use in moving people from place to place -- even today!
What is the wheel?
This system helped farmers to move water from rivers to their farmland.
What is irrigation?
Its present-day city location is in Italy. It was influenced by Greece but its own influence spread far and wide.
What is Ancient Rome?
Ancient Egyptians used a recipe that included "a precise amount of rock shale, mint, dried iris flower and grains of pepper" to keep their pearly whites...white.
What is toothpaste?
What is the taxi-meter (or odometer)?
While it is now used to help us find our way, these were first used by the Ancient Chinese for feng shui - or developing a harmonious living space.
What is the magnetic compass?
Known as the location of the "fertile crescent," this civilization grew up between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.
What is Mesopotamia?
Like the much, much later invention of velcro, this little detail helps hold our clothes closed. The inhabitants of the Indus River Valley used seashells, stones and copper.
What is the button?