10 Surprising Facts About Ancient Civilisations You Never Learned in School

People-Who-Were-Unloved-As-Children-Struggle-With-These-7-Things-As-Adults-Word-From-The-Bird 10 Surprising Facts About Ancient Civilisations You Never Learned in School

When you think of ancient civilisations, you might picture pyramids, grand temples, and ancient cities. But the truth is, these remarkable societies were far more complex and full of surprises than most textbooks tell us. From lost technologies to unexpected cultural practices, the ancient world has a wealth of secrets waiting to be discovered. Here are 10 surprising facts about ancient civilisations that you probably didn’t learn in school.


1. The Ancient Egyptians Used a Type of Concrete

We often associate concrete with modern construction, but the ancient Egyptians were using a primitive form of it over 2,000 years ago. The Egyptians didn’t have the sophisticated machinery we do today, but they were incredibly skilled in creating durable building materials. Recent research suggests they used lime-based mortar, a mixture of lime, sand, and water, to bind large stones.

Interestingly, the ancient Egyptians were able to create massive structures like the Great Pyramid of Giza using this primitive form of concrete, which was both stronger and more durable than what we originally thought.

Video Suggestion: How the Egyptians Built the Pyramids
This video explains the techniques behind the creation of these ancient wonders, including their concrete methods.


2. The Mayans Had a Concept of Zero Before Europe

The Mayan civilisation, known for its impressive architecture and calendar systems, had a highly sophisticated understanding of mathematics. One of their most impressive feats was the development of the concept of zero – a concept that wasn’t widely used in Europe until much later. The Mayans used zero in their mathematical calculations, allowing them to develop more accurate timekeeping systems and advanced astronomy. This predates the European use of zero by centuries, showing that ancient cultures were far ahead of their time.

Video Suggestion: How the Mayans Discovered Zero
Learn more about the Mayan understanding of zero and its impact on modern mathematics in this fascinating video.


3. Ancient Romans Had ‘Fast Food’ Restaurants

While we often think of fast food as a modern invention, the ancient Romans were serving up quick meals in their own version of fast-food restaurants. These establishments, called thermopolia, were small shops where Romans could quickly grab hot food and drinks. They were especially popular in cities like Pompeii. The thermopolia were often decorated with beautiful frescoes and provided locals with everything from stews to wine.

Fast food in the ancient world wasn’t just about convenience – it was also a social hub, where people could gather, eat, and discuss the events of the day.

Video Suggestion: Fast Food in Ancient Rome
This video takes a closer look at ancient Roman dining habits, including their version of fast food.


4. The Ancient Greeks Thought the Earth Was a Sphere in the 6th Century BC

Long before Christopher Columbus sailed to the New World, the ancient Greeks were already debating the shape of the Earth. By the 6th century BC, the philosopher Pythagoras proposed that the Earth was a sphere. This was revolutionary at the time, as many people believed the Earth was flat.

Later, other Greek thinkers like Aristotle and Eratosthenes would use observations of the stars, the Earth’s shadow on the moon, and even the distance between cities to calculate the Earth’s size and prove that it was spherical.

Video Suggestion: How the Greeks Proved the Earth is Round
This video explains the Greek methods used to prove the Earth’s spherical shape long before modern science.


5. Ancient Egyptians Had a Form of Cosmetic Surgery

The ancient Egyptians were pioneers in many fields, including medicine and surgery. Archaeological evidence suggests that Egyptians practiced forms of cosmetic surgery, such as rhinoplasty (reconstruction of the nose). Some of the earliest forms of surgery were carried out by Egyptian physicians, who used rudimentary tools to treat injuries and even perform reconstructive surgery.

Interestingly, these ancient medical practices were quite advanced for their time, with Egyptians even performing brain surgery with impressive skill.

Video Suggestion: Ancient Egyptian Medicine
This video explores the medical innovations of the ancient Egyptians, including their work in cosmetic surgery.


6. The Indus Valley Civilisation Had Advanced Plumbing

The Indus Valley Civilisation, which existed around 3300–1300 BCE, was far more advanced than many people realise. Their cities, like Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa, had an impressive and sophisticated plumbing system. These cities boasted public baths, sewage systems, and private toilets in many homes, making them the first civilisation known to have these kinds of urban sanitation systems. In fact, their plumbing was so advanced that it surpassed even some of the systems in medieval Europe.

Video Suggestion: Indus Valley Plumbing and Sanitation
This video takes a deep dive into the plumbing systems of the Indus Valley and how they were ahead of their time.


7. The Vikings Had a Surprisingly Complex Legal System

The Vikings, often portrayed as ruthless raiders, were actually quite sophisticated when it came to their social organisation and legal systems. The Vikings had a system called the Thing, which was essentially an assembly where free men gathered to make decisions and settle disputes. These meetings were held in the open air and involved democratic participation, with members of the community having a say in matters ranging from local governance to serious criminal cases.

Video Suggestion: The Viking Legal System
This video explains how the Vikings practised democracy and law long before the rise of modern legal systems.


8. The Sumerians Invented the First Form of Writing

The Sumerians are credited with creating the first known system of writing, called cuneiform, around 3000 BCE. Cuneiform was originally developed to help manage trade, record inventories, and document transactions. Over time, it evolved into a form of written language that allowed the Sumerians to record historical events, laws, and even poetry. This breakthrough marked the beginning of recorded history.

Video Suggestion: The Invention of Writing: Cuneiform
Watch this video to learn how cuneiform was created and its impact on the development of civilisation.


9. The Ancient Chinese Invented Paper and Printing Long Before the West

The ancient Chinese are often credited with some of the most important inventions in human history, including paper and printing. While Europeans didn’t invent printing presses until the 15th century, the Chinese had already developed the process of woodblock printing around 800 AD, and movable type printing by the 11th century. Furthermore, they invented paper in the 2nd century BCE, long before the West.

Video Suggestion: How the Chinese Invented Paper
This video dives into the history of paper-making and printing in ancient China.


10. Cleopatra Was Not Egyptian

It’s a widely known fact that Cleopatra is one of the most famous figures from ancient Egypt. However, what many people don’t realise is that Cleopatra was not actually Egyptian. She belonged to the Ptolemaic dynasty, which was of Greek origin. Her family came to power after Alexander the Great’s conquests, and Cleopatra herself was of Macedonian Greek descent.

Video Suggestion: The Truth About Cleopatra
This video explores Cleopatra’s true heritage and her reign as queen of Egypt.


Conclusion

Ancient civilisations were far more complex and advanced than we often give them credit for. From the surprising medical practices of the Egyptians to the sophisticated legal systems of the Vikings, there’s a lot more to these cultures than meets the eye. The 10 facts shared above are just a glimpse into the wealth of knowledge that ancient civilisations left behind. It’s time to look beyond what we were taught in school and dive deeper into the fascinating world of the past.

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