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Damascus swords were only replaced by firearms in the early 19th century. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
JAKARTA – Ancient civilizations have left an extraordinary technological legacy for mankind. Who would have thought, in an era full of limitations, human creations would be super sophisticated.
The innovations of nations in the ancient era proved to be very revolutionary. Just look at the deadly flame-throwing weapons of the Greeks, the world’s first analog computer Antikythera, to the famous Damascus sword.
Quoted from Gulf News, here is a list of amazing ancient civilization technologies, Wednesday (13/9/2023).
1. Advanced flame thrower
Between the 7th and 12th centuries, the Byzantines had secret weapons that were often used in naval battles. Greek firearms were not ordinary fire. Once lit, the fire cannot be extinguished.
In liquid form, the fire is sprayed through a kind of cannon. Even after the entire enemy fleet was burned, the surface of the sea would still burn. The contents of the Greek firearms have not been found. However, historians speculate that the fire may have originated from a mixture of petroleum, sulfur or gunpowder, and could only be extinguished with vinegar or sand.
Even more impressive is the design of the pressure pump used to launch destructive fire at the enemy. Even today, researchers are still struggling to create a historically accurate pump that could launch its contents far enough to hit ships several hundred meters away.
2. Antikythera mechanism
Divers discovered the wreckage of a 2,200-year-old ancient ship in the waters off the coast of Antikythera, a small island in Greece, in 1901. In the wreck they found a shoebox-sized device with gears and a dial, later known as the Antikythera mechanism.
