Ancient Ingenious Ideas Of Transmitting Messages Over Long Distances
A. Sutherland - AncientPages.com - The need for people to communicate at a distance has a very long tradition, and one can say it is as old as humanity itself.
Without telegraphs and wireless communication, our ancestors quickly learned that giving information to others is often necessary.
Usually, using one's own voice is enough, especially at very small distances, but other means of communication are required over long distances.
What Did Ancient People Come Up With?
Our ancestors were resourceful and found their own ways to spread important messages. Horns, trumpets, and drums were used to communicate. These instruments are still used by some tribes in Africa, Papua in New Guinea, and by Indians of South America.
Additionally, drums and trumpets were used for signaling in the army; Roman soldiers used them to give orders. The bells were of great importance because they warned of an imminent threat or another danger on the way.
For many centuries, important messages have been often transmitted from one village to another and over large distances.
Drum Telegraphy Is Still An Effective Means
A distance of 566 miles can be covered in only a few hours. In Africa, New Guinea, and America's tropical regions, people have used drum telegraphy to communicate with each other from far away for centuries.
When European expeditions came into the jungles to explore the local forest, they were surprised to find that the message of their coming was carried through long distances a step in advance of their arrival. An African message can easily arrive at the speed of 100 miles within an hour.
An important role was played by the bells that warned of the imminent threat. The oldest of them originated from China.
Talking Drums And Smoke Signals
In the first human societies, people used special drum beats to send warnings or important information. The talking drum from West Africa has been used for a long time while other people like the Achaeans, the inhabitants of Achaea in Greece, had another non-verbal way of transferring information, namely, fire and smoke signaling.
They invented a fire telegraph that served efficiently to confirm or negate a previously agreed message. Thus, they were the first to use fire to send news at a distance.
In countries with mountainous areas, messages were relayed by torches lit on hilltops or beacons. However, these messages were extremely short and contained vital information like for example, warnings or announcements about victory.
Homing Pigeons And Fire Signals
Among the oldest and efficient ideas for transmitting messages over long distances were pigeons that carried messages on the learned route. Also, the use of signal fires, used by the Chinese along the Great Wall of China, is a very old method of communication over distances.
Around 150 BC, the Romans built the so-called telegraphic network but not literally the same we possess today. It consisted of hundreds of guard towers, which were located at the borders of the Empire. In their vicinity bonfires were lit as soon as possible to inform and warn the crew about the dangers.
Such a way of communication was also known to Native Americans in North America. During hunting and war expeditions, the language of signs served as a means of communication at a distance. Fire, smoke or flickering signals were used using a mirror and it could have been a warning alert or a friendly greeting.
Other Effective Means Of Communication Used By The Ancients
The primitive peoples used other signaling instruments, horns, and trumpets. The horns were used in ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, Israel, Greece, Rome in southern and western Africa. Shepherds used them in Scandinavia, the Balkans, Spain, and Sudan.
A well-organized pedestrian system of transmitting messages existed in the Inca Empire. The chasquis (also chaskis) were the messengers of the Empire. They were highly trained and physically fit. They were in charge of carrying the quipus, messages, and gifts up to 240 km per day through the chasquis relay system. Chasquis were not just messengers; they were also trained to read and translate the quipus to each other and higher authorities.
Not only were they used to transport oral messages, but they also assisted the Sapa Inka's brother, keeping track of the people in the Empire.
Written by – A. Sutherland - AncientPages.com Senior Staff Writer
Copyright © AncientPages.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or part without the express written permission of AncientPages.com
More From Ancient Pages
-
Christmas – One Of Most Celebrated Holidays In Christian Calendar
Ancient Traditions And Customs | Dec 24, 2018
-
Enigmatic Figure Dated Back To 40,000 From Prehistoric Stadel Cave, Germany
Ancient Traditions And Customs | Sep 7, 2018
-
War Between Romans And Persians Lasted 721 Years: One Of The World’s Longest Human Conflicts In History
Featured Stories | Apr 18, 2022
-
Runes Were Just As Advanced As Roman Alphabet Writing – New Study
Archaeology | Mar 3, 2023
-
Ancus Marcius: Semi-Legendary Fourth King Of Rome Obliged To Make War To Defend And Expend Territories
Featured Stories | Jul 12, 2019
-
Astonishing Secrets Of Legendary Kachinas: Watchers Of The Hopi
Civilizations | Apr 8, 2017
-
Galileo Galilei’ Long-Lost Letter Reveals His Attempt To Fool The Inquisition And Make Science Independent From Religion
Archaeology | Sep 22, 2018
-
Clay Tablets Of Assyrian ‘King Of The World’ Esarhaddon Found Beneath Biblical Tomb Of Jonah
Archaeology | Mar 1, 2018
-
On This Day In History: Vespasian Was Elected The Roman Emperor – On July 1, 69
News | Jul 1, 2016
-
Underwater Artifacts Shed New Light On Battle Of The Egadi Islands Between Romans And Carthage
Archaeology | Dec 16, 2020
-
Spectacular Vespasianus Titus Tunnel – An Ancient Roman Engineering Marvel
Ancient Technology | Aug 30, 2018
-
Why Was Pharaoh Khafre Almost Wiped Out From Historical Records?
Featured Stories | Feb 19, 2020
-
Archaeologists Unearthed Shrine To Apostle Peter In Israel’s Galilee
Archaeology | Aug 2, 2019
-
Hidden Giant Tombs In Armenia Remain An Ancient Mystery
Featured Stories | Nov 9, 2017
-
Tāne: Lord Of The Forest Who Brought Three Baskets Of Knowledge To People In Maori Mythology
Featured Stories | Dec 9, 2023
-
Helmet Of Meskalamdug – Sumerian King Of The First Dynasty Of Ur
Artifacts | Apr 14, 2016
-
Dearg-Due Frightening Female Demon And Tyrannical Abhartach Of Irish Folklore
Celtic Mythology | Jan 5, 2017
-
Unsolved Mystery Of Gedi Ruins Protected By The ‘Old Ones’ – Why Did People Leave?
Civilizations | Apr 2, 2019
-
Sumerian King List – Ancient Record Of Kingship That Has Long Been Of Great Interest
Artifacts | Jan 22, 2016
-
Native Americans’ Visions Of Distant Explorers May Unravel Some Ancient Mysteries Of North America – Archaeological Evidence – Part 2
Featured Stories | Nov 21, 2019