Essay on Technological Development in Farming and Art Before 1700

Published: 2021-07-08
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Before 1700, people's views were different from the people's views today, and they had their way of doing things and understanding. Amid the early medieval period of the world, reason and rationale had been sidelined with belief and religion therefore remarkable strides in technological advancement were never accomplished. However, the late medieval period offered a significant push on the efforts in technological innovation. These innovations were creations of ancient people around the world, they innovated and expertly refined these innovations and profited colossally by utilizing them in various ways. The innovation of moldboard plow which was later developed to the heavy plow, tidal mills, blast furnace, gun powder and the spinning wheel are great examples of improving Middle Ages technology. The advancement of technology before 1700 had a positive impact on the societies, lives, and cultures of the farmers together with the artists.

Agriculture was the most vital activity in pre-modern societies in Europe and most parts of the world. A change in technology was needed to incorporate ways to increase efficiency in farming. In as much as farming was the primary activity in many regions, it was extremely inefficient by current standards. From the ninth century to the end of the thirteenth century, the medieval European economy experienced a remarkable efficiency in productivity growth. This period has been alluded to as the most noteworthy in farming since the stone age period. The most critical component in the revolution of agriculture was the invention and adoption of the heavy plow. The development of the heavy plow made it conceivable to farm in areas with clay soil which was more fruitful than the other types of soil. This prompted success in farming and truly made a reproducing ground for monetary development and urban communities in the Northern Europe.

Another significant technological improvement in farming before 1700 was recognition and development of a new source of energy, the plow horse. A few elements circumscribed the use of the horse in of some parts Europe, and something had to be done to increase working efficiency of the horse. The development of the horseshoe in the 9th century kept the hooves of the horse from splitting wide open to the harsh elements in the wet soil. The horse neckline was also developed. The development of the horse neckline allowed the horse to pull from the trunk as opposed to the neck; this expanded the horse's pulling power capacity, and they were able to pull heavy loads comfortably. Significant technological development in cross breeding technology in horses led to a breed of bigger stallions that could pull loads up to 50% speedier than the bull and could work one to two hours longer for each day. This meant that people carried out their farm activities faster than they were doing with the bulls. The plow horses increased farm yields by 30% for those workers who could afford them. Similarly, as with the three field framework and a big plow, plow horses delivered, even more, there was an increase in food production, population growth, and acquisition new grounds for settlement and food production.

The earliest artistic drawings are said to have been found on cave walls in some European countries at around 30,000 to 10,000 B.C. . Most early drawings were scratched, cut, or painted on the surfaces of primitive devices. From 3000 B.C., Egyptians enriched the walls of their sanctuaries and tombs with scenes of day to day life. These drawings had a level and direct style. Writings composed on papyrus were outlined with comparative plans in pen and ink. Between 400's to the 1400's, craftsmanship in Europe was delivered predominantly to celebrate God and to educate religion. Drawing and painting were used in the illustration of prayer books. These wonderfully embellished manuscripts were drawn on calfskin or paper. Artists advanced technology in art enabled people used art to communicate perfectly to the society.

Until the mid 11th century, the paper had not been manufactured in Europe. Even after the breakthrough in paper technology, the paper was costly and hard to get. In some cases, artists were forced to draw on skins. For a considerable length of time, artisans made their preparatory sketches on tablets made of wood, wax, or slate. These tablets could be discarded or used again. Some artists made their preparatory drawings specifically on the new walls marked for painting. In the 1400's, the paper became cheaper and easier to obtain. This encouraged artists in Italy to do modern and attractive drawings. Plenty of drawings were produced in this century. Artists living in France, Germany and the Netherlands in the 1500's step by step digested and absorbed a portion of the ideas and styles that were first created in Italy.

Among all old human turning points like the making of flame, hunting, and pottery; technological advancement in farming prepared the way for the establishment of civilization. Better methods of planting of crops and cultivating of land led to gatherings of individuals who once lived different ways of life to settle on permanent territories. Settling in gatherings led to improvement in technology in all the fields including art, construction farmers, and laborers. Technological advancement unlocked the artists' brains, and they started doing things that had never been done before. Their drawings became finer and attractive to the eye. These drawings served a major function of informing the society, changing their perception and that of other people on various things in the society.

Bibliography

Bol, Peter Cornelis, Herbert Beck, and Susan Walker. 1981. Ancient Art. Frankfurt a.M: Liebieghaus.

Editors of Salem Press. 2009. Agriculture In History. Salem Press.

Eimert, Dorothea. 1994. Paper art. Koln: Wienand Verlag.

Oppy, Graham, and N. N Trakakis. 2014. Medieval Philosophy Of Religion. London: Routledge.

Riddle, John M, and Winston E Black. A History Of The Middle Ages, 300-1500.

Woods, Michael, and Mary B Woods. 2000. Ancient Agriculture. Minneapolis: Runestone Press.

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