Sources for ancient science

Article Abstract:

This article discusses the use of ancient manuscripts as sources of information despite their limited accessibility and deteriorating condition. The author discusses his research on the 10th-century palimpsest of Greek mathematician Archimedes, whose manuscripts are hidden under 12th-century Greek religious texts and fungi; he argues that scholars study ancient source manuscripts not only for their content, but to detect any other sources of information that they may contain and which may shed light into the development of the ideas and insight into the mind of their creator.

Analysis, History, Ancient, Ancient history, Archives, Manuscripts, Historical sources

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Why is it so difficult to write the history of contemporary science?

Article Abstract:

It appears that historians continue to find it quite difficult to write about long past and contemporary science. The reasons for this are because of methodological problems pertaining to the size and complexity of contemporary science. This in turn is due to the sheer volume of science works produced since about the 1970s. Historians' difficulties are further compounded by the political issues pertaining to the authority of contemporary science in contemporary culture.

Historians, Authorship

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The unexpectged science to come; the most important discoveries of the next 50 years are likely to be ones of which we cannot now even conceive

Article Abstract:

Those facing the beginning of the 20th century looked to the scientific discoveries of the 1800s to predict discoveries of the coming century, just as those who face the 21st century look to the 1900s. In fact, the most significant discoveries to come may be inconceivable at the beginning of the century.

Forecasts and trends, Cover Story, Communication in science, Scientific communication

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