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E-book
Author Olshin, Benjamin B., author.

Title Lost knowledge : the concept of vanished technologies and other human histories / by Benjamin B. Olshin
Published Leiden ; Boston : Brill, [2019]

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Description 1 online resource (xii, 458 pages)
Series Technology and change in history ; volume 16
Technology and change in history ; v. 16.
Contents Speculations and fantasies -- Ancient tales of flying machines -- Magic mirrors and early televisions -- The missing land of Atlantis -- Rings and dangerous powers -- The nature, encoding, and transmission of knowledge -- Conclusions: What did they mean?
Summary "Lost Knowledge : The Concept of Vanished Technologies and Other Human Histories examines the idea of lost knowledge, reaching back to a period between myth and history. It investigates a peculiar idea found in a number of early texts: that there were civilizations with knowledge of sophisticated technologies, and that this knowledge was obscured or destroyed over time along with the civilization that had created it. This book presents critical studies of a series of early Chinese, South Asian, and other texts that look at the idea of specific 'lost' technologies, such as mechanical flight and the transmission of images. There is also an examination of why concepts of a vanished 'golden age' were prevalent in so many cultures. Offering an engaging and investigative look at the propagation of history and myth in technology and culture, this book is sure to interest historians and readers from many backgrounds"-- Provided by publisher
Bibliography Includes bibliographical references and index
Notes Online resource; title from digital title page (viewed on March 01, 2019)
Subject Technology and civilization -- History -- To 1500
Technology and civilization -- History -- To 1500 -- Sources
Technology -- History -- To 1500
Communication of technical information -- History -- To 1500
Knowledge, Theory of -- History -- To 1500
Civilization, Ancient.
Civilization, Classical.
SOCIAL SCIENCE -- General.
Civilization, Classical
Civilization, Ancient
Communication of technical information
Knowledge, Theory of
Technology
Technology and civilization
Technik
Wissen
Genre/Form History
Sources
Form Electronic book
LC no. 2019000440
ISBN 9789004352728
9004352724