Technology+and+Medicine


 * __ Early Technology __**

Julianne Longen The scholars of today have been influenced by the technology of the Middle Ages. Some of the early discoveries and inventions from Medieval times are very important in our everyday lives. The printing press, created in the 1450’s, was replaced by the computer. Early medical treatments made from plants have been replaced by antibiotics, some of which are also made from plants. Leonardo’s imagined flying machines have been replaced by jets. Today’s world has definitely benefited from the thinkers of the Middle Ages. The Middle Ages lasted about 900 years, so the technology became better during this time. Since the Middle Ages was a time of violence and war, one of the most common technologies was making weapons. Swords were out of steel and could easily cut through flesh. Although swords were very heavy they were used during war attacks. One had to lift a sword with both hands because they could weigh up to 40 pounds! If a sword was lost in a battle, there was always a dagger to replace it. The people needed protection for their village, so they built castles. Castles were also built to show power. A ditch was dug around the castle. The ditch was filled with water and this was called a moat. It was like a stream or river, but it was filled with sharp objects to prevent people from trying to cross it. Castles were usually built on a hill, a mountain top, a river, or on marshy ground. There was only one entrance to a castle and that was carefully guarded. Living in a castle was not fun. Castles were cold, damp, and dark. The way castles were kept warm with huge fireplaces and hanging tapestries. Servants had to keep putting wood on the fire. Castle weren’t only for kings, queens, princesses, and lords. When the castle was under attack, the people who lived on the land would go into the castle to be safe. The huge stone walls and lack of windows helped the castle stay standing. Usually the objects the enemies shot could not break through the walls of the castle. The knights would close the drawbridge so the enemies could not enter the castle. The medicine in the Middle Ages was very different from today. If one’s illness was not serious, one would use herbs to care for it. They used fennel seeds to help cure stomach problems. Usually people would go to women when they were sick, because women were had knowledge about which herbs to use. People could not practice medicine if they were not certified. If a person apprenticed with a doctor the person was then certified to practice. Women stopped practicing medicine because in 15th century men outlawed women doctors. The life expectancy of peasants and nobles was different. Peasants were only expected to live to about 45 years on average. Since they were not as wealthy as noble’s, they did not have good care or a healthy diet. Bishop and nobles were expected to live until 60 years on average. They lived longer because they were wealthier. They had more money for food so their food was healthier. They had more money for better care. The length of one’s life depended on one’s life style. While technology was not the best during the Middle Ages, improvements were slowly made. The Middle Ages led into the Renaissance. The Renaissance was a time of rebirth. The renaissance was a time where many improvements were made. Today we make changes much quicker than the people of the Middle Ages did. **__ Resources __** Mrs. Farrell’s resources What Are Castles: http://www.castlewales.com/castles.html Mrs. Farrell’s resources Printing Press II: http://www.historyguide.org/intellect/press.html **__ Science and Technology in the Middle Ages __** by: Joanne Findon and Marcia Groves
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