The Garden of Pratolino: Ancient Technology Breaks Through the Barriers of Modern Iconology

LUDI NATURAE ◽  
2010 ◽  
pp. 121-142 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Isis ◽  
1957 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-77
Author(s):  
Lynn White,
Keyword(s):  

Nuncius ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 127-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matteo Valleriani

The paper aims to show how sixteenth century hydraulic and pneumatic engineers appropriated ancient science and technology – codified in the text of Hero of Alexandria’s Pneumatics – to enter into scientific discourse, for instance, with natural philosophers. They drew on the logical structure, content and narrative style passed down from antiquity to generate and codify their own theoretical approach and to document their new technological achievements. They did so by using the form of commented and enlarged editions, just as Aristotelian natural philosophers had been doing for centuries. The argument aims to detail the exact role of ancient science and the process of transformation it underwent during the early modern period. In particular, it aims to show how pneumatic engineers first tested the ancient technology codified by Hero while carrying out their own practical activities. Once these tests were successfully concluded, in the spirit of early modern humanism they finally presented these activities as being associated with the work of their discipline’s most authoritative author, Hero of Alexandria, whose technology was tested during the construction of the hydraulic and pneumatic system of the garden of Pratolino.


Manuscripta ◽  
1958 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-51
Author(s):  
Lynn White
Keyword(s):  

2020 ◽  
Vol V (III) ◽  
pp. 237-245
Author(s):  
Faisal Khan ◽  
Junaid Babar ◽  
Zahir Hussain

The paper deals with the architecture and function of watermills in Swat valley. Watermill is a seldom-used term; however, it has played a significant role in the socio-cultural and economic lives of people in the past. This research work explores the case study of water mills in the Swat region. It examined in detail its processing and operation. The watermill was not only an instrument used for grinding purposes but also determined the mode of production, class system and social values of people. Modern technology has though changed people's behaviors and social formations up to a large extent, but it couldn't erase people's memories and history. A qualitative method has been used for conducting this research work. An ethnic-archaeological method was focused on recording the history of this tremendous ancient technology which contributed widely to the socio-cultural context of people.


2018 ◽  
Vol 877 ◽  
pp. 230-240
Author(s):  
Leonardo Roque do Carmo Souza ◽  
Sumitra S. Kandolkar

Ancient Goa was reclaimed from the marshy deltas by remnants of the Saraswat Civilization who settled there and brought with them their ancient technology. We need to learn from these ancient structures that have survived nearly 8000 years and therefore are truly sustainable. Their construction method needs to be replicated to help India’s growing infrastructure demand and lowland reclamation. They use renewable, locally available materials like Soil, Lime, Ash, Cowdung and Straw. They are multi functional: habitation, irrigation, pisiculture, agriculture, rainwater harvesting, infrastructure etc. they possess a stable shape. They save at an average 80% more space than standard embankments. A 6-8% mix of Lime and Coconut Leaf Ash gave best results for soil stabilization. They have good slope stability with a factor of safety of more than 1.5. They have no seepage problems. The self-repairing sustainable coconut tree root system provided 20% more shear strength and seismic stability. As they have already existed for many years they are already undergone settlement and consolidation. This is green engineering that has scope for ancient technology aiding modern technology and spurring India’s growth in it race for international primacy as a technological superpower.


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