Technology in the ancient and classical worlds reached impressive levels of achievement. The use of simple tools, skilled management of large numbers of workers (many of them slaves), and the absence of time pressure allowed these societies to create both productive farms and thriving cities. Many achievements of this era reflect the ingenuity and skill of these early engineers.

Agriculture

Agriculture was the foundation of preindustrial societies from ancient Egypt to early medieval Europe. The simple scratch plow and use of domesticated animals, especially in the ancient Mediterranean world, grew the grain that allowed civilizations to emerge. In places like Egypt, where regular river flooding required the storage and control of water, irrigation ditches and canals were essential for society's survival. Water control was a central function of society, and social and...