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6 Advanced Ancient Inventions Beyond Modern Understanding
rangerrebew:
6 Advanced Ancient Inventions Beyond Modern Understanding
By Tara MacIsaac, Epoch Times
We’ve lost the secret to making some of history’s most useful inventions, and for all of our ingenuity and discoveries, our ancestors of thousands of years ago are still able to baffle us with
their ingenuity and discoveries. We have developed the modern equivalent of some of these inventions, but only very recently.
Researchers discover secret recipe of Roman concrete that allowed it to endure for over 2,000 years
Scientists Discover that Ancient Roman Concrete was Far Superior to Our Own
1. Greek Fire: Mysterious Chemical Weapon
The Byzantines of the 7th to 12th centuries hurled a mysterious substance at their enemies in naval battle. This liquid, shot through tubes or siphons, burned in water and could only be extinguished with vinegar, sand, and urine. We still don’t know what this chemical weapon, known as Greek fire, was made of. The Byzantines guarded the secret jealously, ensuring only a select few knew the secret, and the knowledge was eventually lost altogether.
https://www.ancient-origins.net/artifacts-ancient-technology/advanced-ancient-inventions-002652
BobfromWB:
2. Flexible Glass: A Substance Too Precious
Three ancient accounts of a substance known as vitrum flexile, flexible glass, are not clear enough to determine that this substance actually existed. The story of its invention was first told by Petronius (63 AD).
3. An Antidote to All Poisons
A so-called “universal antidote” against all poisons was said to have been developed by King Mithridates VI of Pontus (who reigned 120–63 BC) and perfected by Emperor Nero’s personal physician. The original formula was lost, explained Adrienne Mayor, a folklorist and historian of science at Stanford University, in a 2008 paper, titled “Greek Fire, Poison Arrows & Scorpion Bombs: Biological and Chemical Warfare in the Ancient World.” But ancient historians told us that among its ingredients were opium, chopped vipers, and a combination of small doses of poisons and their antidotes.
4. Heat-Ray Weapon
Greek mathematician Archimedes (212 BC) developed a heat-ray weapon that defied the skills of Discovery Channel’s “Mythbusters”. Mayor described the weapon as “ranks of polished bronze shields reflecting the sun’s rays at enemy ships.”
5. Roman Concrete
The vast Roman structures that have lasted thousands of years are testaments to the advantages Roman concrete has over the concrete used nowadays, which shows signs of degradation after 50 years.
6. Damascus Steel
In medieval times, swords made of a substance called Damascus steel were being produced in the Middle East out of a raw material, known as Wootz steel, from Asia. It was perplexingly strong. It wasn’t until the Industrial Revolution that metal so strong would be forged again.
ChemEngrMBA:
--- Quote from: BobfromWB on May 11, 2025, 03:52:19 pm ---2. Flexible Glass: A Substance Too Precious
Three ancient accounts of a substance known as vitrum flexile, flexible glass, are not clear enough to determine that this substance actually existed. The story of its invention was first told by Petronius (63 AD).
CE: FLEXIBLE CLEAR PLASTIC IS COMMONPLACE AND THE EQUIVALENT.
3. An Antidote to All Poisons
A so-called “universal antidote” against all poisons was said to have been developed by King Mithridates VI of Pontus (who reigned 120–63 BC) and perfected by Emperor Nero’s personal physician. The original formula was lost, explained Adrienne Mayor, a folklorist and historian of science at Stanford University, in a 2008 paper, titled “Greek Fire, Poison Arrows & Scorpion Bombs: Biological and Chemical Warfare in the Ancient World.” But ancient historians told us that among its ingredients were opium, chopped vipers, and a combination of small doses of poisons and their antidotes.
CE: IMPOSSIBLE TOO MANY DIFFERENT POISONS WITH WILDLY DIFFERENT CHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND TOXICITIES PREVENT ANY SUCH ANTIDOTE. THE ANCIENTS WERE VERY LIMITED IN EVERYTHING, INCLUDING THE RANGE OF POISONS MUCH LESS COUNTERING EVERY ONE. HYDROGEN CYANIDE KILLS IN SECONDS. NO ANTIDOTE IS FAST ENOUGH./size]
4. Heat-Ray Weapon
Greek mathematician Archimedes (212 BC) developed a heat-ray weapon that defied the skills of Discovery Channel’s “Mythbusters”. Mayor described the weapon as “ranks of polished bronze shields reflecting the sun’s rays at enemy ships.”
RANKS OF MIRRORS ON THE ROAD TO LAS VEGAS REFLECT THE SUNS RAYS AT A TOWER MELTING SODIUM.
5. Roman Concrete
The vast Roman structures that have lasted thousands of years are testaments to the advantages Roman concrete has over the concrete used nowadays, which shows signs of degradation after 50 years.
WORLD WAR II BUNKERS AT NORMANDY LOOK PERFECT.
6. Damascus Steel
In medieval times, swords made of a substance called Damascus steel were being produced in the Middle East out of a raw material, known as Wootz steel, from Asia. It was perplexingly strong. It wasn’t until the Industrial Revolution that metal so strong would be forged again.
--- End quote ---
IF DAMASCAS STEEL WERE THAT DURABLE, WE WOULD FIND AT LEAST ONE SUCH BLADE TODAY AND ANALYZE ITS ALLOY.
DIAMOND IS STILL THE HARDEST MATERIAL KNOWN.
roamer_1:
Damascus steel is well known and is created all the time in custom knife making and blacksmithing. I own several.
roamer_1:
--- Quote from: BobfromWB on May 11, 2025, 03:52:19 pm ---2. Flexible Glass: A Substance Too Precious
Three ancient accounts of a substance known as vitrum flexile, flexible glass, are not clear enough to determine that this substance actually existed. The story of its invention was first told by Petronius (63 AD).
--- End quote ---
A lightweight flexible glass would be a terrific replacement for plastic... And when discarded, would be ground down and recycled or turned back into sand.
That would be a beautiful thing.
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