Unearthing The Tech From Ancient Times: India and Egypt Edition

6 min readDec 29, 2021

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Have you ever wanted to hop onto a time machine to know how life would be like in the past? Let’s have a glimpse of some of the most advanced tech systems that were developed by our ancestors!

I. Indus Valley Civilization (5000 BCE to 1300 BCE)

Along with ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, it was one of the 3 early civilisations of the Near East and South Asia. Two of its best known excavated cities are Harappa and Mohenjo -daro (located in modern-day Pakistan).

1. World’s First Known Urban Sanitation Systems

Within each city, individual homes obtained water from wells. From a bathing room, wastewater was directed to covered drains, which lined the major streets.

Devices like ‘shadoofs’ and ‘sakias’ were used to lift water to ground level. Their advanced sewage system included drainage channels, rainwater harvesting, and street ducts.

2. The Bronze Age Society

Inhabitants developed new techniques in metallurgy and made copper, bronze, lead, and tin. They also made intricate handicraft using gemstone Carnelian.

Touchstone used to test the purity of gold, Source: GI

3. Transportation Capabilities

They may have been the first to use wheeled transport via oxcarts seen in South Asia today. Archaeological evidences suggest they even built boats and watercraft.

4. Accurate Measurements

They were among the first to develop a system of uniform weights and measures. The measures later used in Chanakya’s Arthashastra — Indian treatise on politics, economics and military strategy.

5. Seal Carving And Language

Cutting of patterns was done on a seal’s bottom — a small, carved object used for stamping. These seals helped identify property and trade goods. Meanwhile, the Indus script remains indecipherable till date.

II. Ancient Egypt

Childhood fan of ‘The Mummy’ series or just fascinated by Ancient Egyptian marvels like the Great Pyramid of Giza? Well then, have a look at some of these amazing creations of old Egypt!

1. The Police

The first policing organization was created in 3000 BCE. For each jurisdiction, the pharaoh appointed an official who was responsible for security and justice.

2. Door Locks

The earliest such device was a pin-tumbler lock. It was more secure than the smaller sized, spring lock that was later developed by the Romans.

3. Papyrus Sheets

Known as the earliest paper-like material for writing, Egyptians made it from the water-plant which grew near the River Nile. It was also used in construction of other artifacts like sandals, baskets, mats and rope.

4. Toothpaste and Breath Mints

Their toothpaste was made of the powder of ox hooves, ashes, burnt eggshells and pumice. They also made the first mints using pellets of cinnamon and honey.

5. Bowling

Archaeologists have discovered a room containing a set of lanes and balls in Cairo, Egypt. Unlike current-day bowling, in which bowlers knock down pins at the end of the alley, Egyptians aimed for the hole in middle.

6. Pyramids

King Djoser’s architect, Imhotep, built the first pyramid in 2700 BCE by placing 6 bench-shaped mounds called mastabas in a stack.

7. Mummification

In order to preserve dead bodies, the Egyptians removed all moisture from the body, leaving a dried form that wouldn’t easily decay. This has allowed modern scientists to study more about ancient life.

8. Wigs and Cosmetic Makeup

During the hot summers many Egyptians shaved their heads to prevent lice. On occasions they used wigs and perfumed beeswax.
They also applied thick eyeliner to cure eye diseases and keep them away from the evil eye.

III. Ancient India

The Ancient Indian Civilization has made so many important contributions to the modern world, that they are still unknown to many. This section throws light on some of these innovative inventions, specifically in metallurgy and manufacturing processes.

1. Diamond Cutting And Polishing

Cutting and polishing of diamonds was invented in India as per Ratnapariksha, an ancient science on testing gemstones. As per Kautilya’s Arthashastra, it was used primarily to govern the businesses of pearls, diamonds and other precious gems in ancient times.

2. Glass Blowing

This tech dates back to 1 BCE, as per in excavations done in Taxila. It was used to make hookahs, chimney shades, perfume bottles, etc.

3. Etched Carnelian Beads

Ancient decorative beads were made using the technique of alkaline-etching, by the Harappans during the 3rd millennium BCE.

4. Seamless Celestial Globes

It was developed in India during 1589–1590 CE. Before they were rediscovered in the 1980s, modern metallurgists believed it was impossible to produce metal globes without any joined parts.

5. Wootz Damascus Steel

Found in Indian subcontinent, Wootz is an ancient ultra-high carbon steel with beautiful patterns, that is naturally formed on the blades during production. Made in 500 BCE to 300 BCE, till date researchers worldwide haven’t been able to recreate it.

6. Carding Devices

Carding cleans and intermixes fibres (Eg: wool) to produce a continuous web. The earliest evidence for these devices dates to 2nd century CE in India.

7. Stoneware Pottery

Also known as the predecessor of porcelain, stoneware remnants found at Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) sites, was used to make bangles.

8. Buttons

Another marvel from IVC, buttons made from seashell were used as ornaments. Later on, they had holes pierced into them and attached to clothing pieces.