Cultural Contributions of Early Islamic Civilization

During the Islamic Golden Age, which lasted from 750 to 1257 A.D. (C.E.), major contributions of the early Islamic civilization took place. Islamic communities developed and protected vast trading networks that transported goods and the Islamic faith over a considerable portion of the globe. Muslims and the communities they traded with benefited from innovations by Islamic scientists, mathematicians, philosophers, and artists. In this interactivity, you will explore various cultural Islamic innovations. Click the player button to begin.

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Scientific Contributions of Early Islamic Civilization

A page from The Compendious Book on Calculation by
Completion and Balancing, written by the Persian
mathematician Muhammad ibn Mūsā
al-Khwārizmī in 820 A.D. (C.E.)

The Islamic civilization also made many contributions in the field of science. Advancements in mathematics, medicine, and geography impacted the development of human civilization, and made many of today's modern innovations possible.

Mathematics

Building upon earlier concepts developed in India, Arabs in North Africa introduced Arabic numerals and the concept of zero to Europeans in the tenth century. These numerals created the foundation for the ten digits that are used in modern times (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0). The mathematical discipline of Al Jabr was developed by a scholar in the ninth century. You may even be enrolled in a version of this class, Algebra, as it is known today.

Medicine

Through advancements in the understanding of contagious diseases and human anatomy, Arab scientists blended their contemporary knowledge of Asian and European medicine into a field of scientific study. Through translations of previous works into Arabic, and translations of Arabic works into other languages, Islamic doctors of the time passed on their discoveries. Throughout the empire, early scientists and doctors established hospitals and medical schools.

Expansion of Geographic Knowledge

With the size of the empire, travels and geographic knowledge were very important. Designers during this time period improved ships by making them larger and more stable for travel. Acknowledging that the Earth was round, Islamic astronomers also improved sailors' navigation techniques by perfecting the astrolabe and using a Chinese invention, the compass. Trade and travel contributed to the empire's success, and all of these advancements made it safer. Moreover, by sharing these refinements with Europeans, Muslims made the Age of Exploration and Discovery possible centuries later.

Trade in the Islamic Civilization

By the 600s A.D. (C.E.), large trading networks spanned much of the globe, including faraway places like China, Africa, and Europe. These trade routes were by sea, like the Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean routes, and by land, like the Silk Road and Trans-Saharan routes. Being an inhabitant of the Arabian Peninsula was like being a “toll taker at the crossroads of the world.” Many merchants along these routes became wealthy and powerful, and Islamic leaders used taxes from these wealthy merchants to build and maintain public works like schools, hospitals, dams, and bridges. In this interactivity, you will explore information about trade in the Islamic civilization. Click the player button to begin.

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Contributions of Islamic Society Review

Now that you have explored contributions of Islamic society, review your knowledge in this interactivity. Click the player button to get started.