Chemical Technology in Antiquity
Published on 1. September 2016
Book
Hardback
336 pages
978-0-8412-3112-2 (ISBN)
Description
Chemistry is intimately involved in the development of the oldest known civilizations, resulting in a range of chemical technologies that not only continue to be part of modern civilized societies, but are so commonplace that it would be hard to imagine life without them. Such chemical technology has a very long and rich history, in some cases dating back to as early as 20,000 BCE.
Chemistry Technology in Antiquity aims to present the discovery, development, and early history of a range of such chemical technologies, with the added goal of including a number of smaller subjects often ignored in the presentation of early chemical technology. While the book does not aim to be a comprehensive coverage of the full range of chemical technologies practiced during antiquity, it provides a feel and appreciation for both the deep history involved with these topics, as
well as the complexity of the chemical processes that were being utilized at such a very early time period.
Chemistry Technology in Antiquity aims to present the discovery, development, and early history of a range of such chemical technologies, with the added goal of including a number of smaller subjects often ignored in the presentation of early chemical technology. While the book does not aim to be a comprehensive coverage of the full range of chemical technologies practiced during antiquity, it provides a feel and appreciation for both the deep history involved with these topics, as
well as the complexity of the chemical processes that were being utilized at such a very early time period.
Reviews / Votes
The chapters all provide a generally reliable narrative introduction to their respective topics, with careful documentation from secondary literature. [...] students without knowledge of chemistry will find clear introductions to most of the important technologies of the ancient world that made use of chemical processes. * John Peter Oleson, Metascience *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
37 b/w line art; 132 b/w halftones
Dimensions
Height: 231 mm
Width: 162 mm
Thickness: 23 mm
Weight
601 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-8412-3112-2 (9780841231122)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Seth C. Rasmussen is a Professor of Chemistry at North Dakota State University (NDSU) in Fargo. He received his B.S in Chemistry from Washington State University in 1990 and his Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry from Clemson University in 1994, under the guidance of Prof. John D. Peterson. As a postdoctoral associate at the University of Oregon, he then studied conjugated organic polymers under Prof. James E. Hutchison. In 1997, he accepted a teaching position at the
University of Oregon, before moving to join the faculty at NDSU in 1999. As both an author and editor, Prof. Rasmussen has contributed to books in both materials and history and has published more than 80 research papers and book chapters. He also currently serves as the Program Chair for the History of
Chemistry division of the American Chemical Society and as the series editor for the Springer Briefs in Molecular Science: History of Chemistry book series.
University of Oregon, before moving to join the faculty at NDSU in 1999. As both an author and editor, Prof. Rasmussen has contributed to books in both materials and history and has published more than 80 research papers and book chapters. He also currently serves as the Program Chair for the History of
Chemistry division of the American Chemical Society and as the series editor for the Springer Briefs in Molecular Science: History of Chemistry book series.
Content
1. Introduction -- The Role of Chemical Technology in Early Civilizations
2. Historic Mineral Pigments: Colorful Benchmarks of Ancient Civilizations
3. The First Artificial Material: Ceramics from Prehistory to the Fall of Rome
4. From Honey Wine to the Cultivation of the Grape: An Early History of Fermented Beverages
5. The Metals of Antiquity and Their Alloys
6. The Skin They Were In: Leather and Tanning in Antiquity
7. Modern Chemistry of the Ancient Chemical Processing of Organic Dyes and Pigments
8. Scented Oils and Perfumes
9. An Ancient Cleanser: Soap Production and Use in Antiquity
10. Modern Materials in Antiquity: An Early History of the Art and Technology of Glass
2. Historic Mineral Pigments: Colorful Benchmarks of Ancient Civilizations
3. The First Artificial Material: Ceramics from Prehistory to the Fall of Rome
4. From Honey Wine to the Cultivation of the Grape: An Early History of Fermented Beverages
5. The Metals of Antiquity and Their Alloys
6. The Skin They Were In: Leather and Tanning in Antiquity
7. Modern Chemistry of the Ancient Chemical Processing of Organic Dyes and Pigments
8. Scented Oils and Perfumes
9. An Ancient Cleanser: Soap Production and Use in Antiquity
10. Modern Materials in Antiquity: An Early History of the Art and Technology of Glass