New Delhi: The progress of human beings as a race has been the result of the rise and fall of many civilisations since ancient times. Many important civilisations played a key role in the advancement of society and ensured that the wheel of progress never stops. In this article, we will take a look at some interesting facts about ancient civilisations in the world.
Interesting facts about ancient civilisations
Mayans and eclipses
The Maya civilization was a Mesoamerican civilization which was famous for its ancient temples and script. Also, the civilization is famous for its architecture, mathematics, astronomical system and calendar. They were expert in astronomy and could predict solar and lunar eclipses. As per reports, they even had a calendar more accurate than the Julian calendar.
Neanderthals and wrestlers
According to reports, the Neanderthals were shaped like professional wrestlers. The shape of their skull was slightly different from ours and their bodies were a bit shorter and wider, which made them look like the professional wrestlers of today’s age.
Invention of toilet paper
Toilet paper is an important commodity at present. It is believed that people in ancient China were the first to use it. While paper had been known as a wrapping and padding material in China since the 2nd century BC, a reference to the use of toilet paper dates back as early as c. 589. According to records, during the early 14th century simply in the place that we know as Zhejiang today, ten million packages of 1,000 to 10,000 sheets of toilet paper were manufactured every year.
Beginning of agriculture
Around 12,000 years ago, agriculture began in Asia and the Middle East. It made human societies increasingly village and city-based and people abandoned the nomadic lifestyle. It led to large population growth for the first time and also resulted in deforestation. The beginning of agriculture led to the development of various civilizations.
Beer as currency
In ancient Egypt, people reportedly used beer as currency. The labourers who built the fabulous pyramids in Giza were often paid in beer, considered a refreshment and also a source of nutrition.
Cleopatra was Greek
Cleopatra was Queen of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt from 51 to 30 BC. Despite being the queen of Egypt, Cleopatra had a Greek lineage. She was a member of the Ptolemaic dynasty and a descendant of its founder Ptolemy I Soter, a Macedonian Greek general. Infact, the first language of Cleopatra was Koine Greek and was the only Ptolemaic ruler who had to learn the Egyptian language.
Myth about Vikings
In today’s portrayal of the Vikings, the seafaring people originally from Scandinavia who loved to raid and conquer, they mostly wear horned helmets during battle. But in reality, this myth has been created by 19th-century artists. Contrary to the myth, the Vikings wore simple leather and metal helmets.
Invention of the wheel
In the 4th millennium BC, the wheel was invented in Lower Mesopotamia. The people inserted rotating axles into solid discs of wood and later in 2000 BC, the discs began to be hollowed out to make a lighter wheel.
Invention of buttons
Buttons are said to have been invented in the Indus Valley Civilization. The earliest button we have in existence today dates from around 2000 BC and was made from a curved shell. Initially, buttons were used as ornamental embellishments to the attire of a person and also signified wealth or status.
Toilet paper is an important commodity at present. It is believed that people in ancient China were the first to use it and it later became popular. Read on for more such quirky facts about ancient civilisations. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
