Chadwick/First Civilizations, 9. Science and technology

This chapter describes the scientific, medical and technological accomplishments in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. Topics include: - celestial divination - omen astrology - the substitute king ritual - the lunar calendar - understanding the lunar month - the 'ideal' month - naming the constellations - the zodiac and astrology - horoscopic astrology - Babylonian astrology - astronomy and astrology in Egypt - pyramid shafts - the calendar and astronomy - the civil calendar - the lunar calendar - Thoth and Khons - start clocks - the legacy of Near Eastern celestial knowledge - disease and the rise of civilization - medicine in Mesopotamia - magic by sympathy and contagion - treatment of disease in ancient Mesopotamia - surgery - magico- religious healers - training - pregnancy, childbirth and abortion - dental care - anatomical knowledge - medical papyri - traumatic injuries - sanitation - the transmission of medical traditions