Muslim Contributions

Chess

• Difficult and intellectually challenging

Irrigation Techniques & Wells

• Water wheel – operated by man, animal and wind

• Deep in the ground wells to reduce water loss by evaporation

• Agriculture was dependent on irrigation techniques and underground wells

Zoology

• Dependent on animals for travel and trade• Book of animals – theories and information• The uses of animals – medicines from animals• The lives of animals – an encyclopia of animals

Banking System

• Established due to the different kinds of money in use

• Central banks with branch offices and a system of credit & checks

• International trade expanded & goods were sold across the empire and abroad

Calligraphy

• The art of elegant writing. Used when writing the Qur’an.

• Honored above all art forms because it was worthy of God.

• Used to decorate walls of mosques, ceramics with inscriptions of wordly wisdom

Geometric and Floral Design

• Prohibited to make images of humans or animals as it distracted worshippers from prayer.

• Arabesque, winding stem of leaves an d flowers was the most common decoration.

• Geometry used to express unity and order.

Bookmaking

• Chinese prisoners taught Arabs how to make paper books.

• Encouraged learning • Sign of wealth to own books

House of Wisdom

• Library that translated Greek classics tin philosophy and science

• Encouraged openness to new ways of thinking• Meeting place of scholars

Astronomy

• Scientific study of the sky• Sun – center of the universe• Earth rotates on axis• Astrolabe – early GPS

Algebra

• Magic boxes• Uses letters as substitute for numbers in order

to solve problems

Hospitals

• Designed to promote health, cure diseases, and teach medical knowledge

• Allah provided cures for every illness

Herbal Medicines & Pharmacies

• Plants used for their medical powers• Sedatives – kill pain during surgery• Antiseptics – cleaned wounds• Pharmacies fill prescriptions

City of Baghdad

• Center of the empire in 8th century• Between two rivers• Crossroads of great trade

routes

Polo

• Use of horses made it a favorite game of wealthy

Libraries of Cordoba

• Center for learning and intellectual life• Bibiliophiles – people who love books• Important people owned large libraries

Music of Andulusia

• Combined styles from all over the world• 1st conservatory school• Poets & musicians worked together to create

songs• Invented many

instruments