Editing Science and technology

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Several '''scientific and technological''' aspects have been described in the [[known world]] of [[George R. R. Martin]]'s ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]''. This page is a representation of such topics, focusing mostly on [[Westeros]] and [[Essos]], the primary locations of the story, although information as available on other locations in Martin's known world will be stated whenever possible.

When discussing the technological progress of his world, Martin stated that "'' [..] the unpredictable nature of the seasonal changes and the harshness of the winters must play a role. I do think that magic perhaps makes development of the scientific method less likely. If men can fly by means of a spell, do you ever get the Wright Brothers? Or even daVinci? An interesting question, and I'm not sure I know the answer.''"<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/1071 Technology in Westeros (January 21, 2000)]</ref>

==General==
===Scientific institutes===
:{{Main|Maesters}}
:{{See also|Citadel|Alchemists' Guild|Great Sept of Baelor}}

The [[maester]]s are an order of scholars, healers, messengers, and scientists. They educate new students at their "seat", the [[Citadel]], which is located in [[Oldtown]], a city in the [[Reach]]. The maesters are sometimes called "the [[knight]]s of the mind."{{ref|AGOT|53}} Boys and young men from all over [[Westeros]] come to study, learn, and forge their chains at the [[Citadel]].{{Ref|twoiaf| The Reach: Oldtown}} Novices (students who have yet to earn their first link) and acolytes (students who have earned at least one link of their chain) are educated together. Archmaesters give open lectures, which the students can attend at will. Once a student believes he has sufficient knowledge on a particular subject, he can go before an archmaester to demonstrate his knowledge. If the archmaester judges the student's knowledge to be proficient, he awards him with a link of a metal reflecting the topic.{{Ref|affc|0}} Once a student has earned sufficient links, he can forge his chain and take his maester's vow, after which the Citadel might relocate him. Maesters serving at a castle advise their lords on the operation of their households and lands.{{ref|agot|6}}{{ref|asos|64}} Some lords trust their maesters to open and read letters and to convey their contents to them, while other lords prefer to do so for themselves.{{Ref|adwd|3}} Maesters can be tasked with writing letters for their lords as well, and might be trusted to read and write the letters of those lords who are illiterate.{{Ref|adwd|37}} They are in charge of the [[raven]]s used as messengers. Although most ravens can only be trained to fly to one castle, a few can be trained to distinguish between two, and rarely even more.<ref>''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[Theon I (The Winds of Winter)|Theon I]]</ref> Maesters assist in childbirth,{{ref|agot|6}} treat illnesses,{{ref|asos|36}} and teach children arithmetic, language, and history.{{ref|agot|53}}{{ref|acok|66}}{{ref|asos|40}}

A more specialized institute of knowledge is the [[Alchemists' Guild]]{{ref|ACOK|3}} (also called the Guild of Alchemists{{ref|AFFC|12}}{{Ref|AWOIAF| Guild of Alchemists}}). This old order of pyromancers, diminished in power during the recent centuries when the maesters began to rise in prominence, still claims to posses vast secret stores of knowledge.{{Ref|ACOK|20}}

The [[Great Sept of Baelor]], the large [[sept]] of the [[Faith of the Seven]] atop [[Visenya's Hill]] in [[King's Landing]], is a preeminent center of religious education in the realm.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/Various_ASoIaF_Questions/ Various ASOIAF Questions (April 21, 2000)]</ref>

==General==
* Metal working of [[bronze]], [[copper]], [[lead]], [[iron]], [[steel]], [[tin]], [[brass]], [[platinum]], and [[gold]]
* Glass working of varying qualities, from leaded glass, to colored glass (noted by [[Jon Snow]]) and ornamental [[dragonglass]]
* Clothing is made of fabrics such as cotton, linen, wool, and silk; elaborate dresses with lace and fine [[gemstone]] ornaments are common for noble ladies
* Windmills{{ref|acok|22}}{{ref|affc|31}}
* Mills with waterwheels{{ref|asos|39}}
* The wildlings have tools such as sledgehammers and long saws with teeth of bone and flint{{ref|asos|69}}
* Wheelbarrows{{ref|asos|7}}
* Dyes of many colors; metal can even be colored
* Dyers are skillful and are able to make many shades of colors{{Ref|THK}}
* Red and green inks are made, at least on [[Essos]]{{ref|acok|27}}
* A musky perfume with hints of moss, earth, and wildflowers{{ref|affc|12}}
* Lye soap{{ref|agot|53|page 478}}{{ref|acok|44}}
* Oil lanterns exist and are used frequently
* Oil lamps made of iron and glass{{ref|acok|20}}
* Large mirrors of beaten silver{{ref|acok|57}} 
* Silvered looking glasses{{ref|agot|3}}
* [[Raven]]s are trained to carry messages and are used to communicate across the breadth of Westeros

==Architecture==
We can observe distinct building styles across the known world.
 
* Masonry - large, multi-storeyed buildings in stone; with high ceilings, vaulted cellars, round turrets (as opposed to the earlier square ones)
* Masonry - Large temples - probably with gothic arches and flying buttresses to allow for large windows
* Thick, diamond-shaped window panes{{ref|asos|11}}
* Bridge building - Permanent stone structures spanning extremely large rivers which are prone to extreme flooding
* Road making - very primitive in [[Westeros]], but at [[Essos]] they make paved roads, which means foundation layers under the stone (though these are primitive indeed compared to [[Valyrian roads]])
* Mining and tunnelling - deploying an extensive tunnel and drain system deep underground, which has remained stable and safe for centuries - a large part of which is lined

==Medicine==
: {{Main|Medicine}}

In [[Westeros]], medical treatments are most frequently given by the [[maester]]s of the [[Citadel]]. [[George R. R. Martin]] has stated that the medical knowledge of the maesters is more advanced than real-life medieval medical knowledge:

"''I've made a deliberate decision when the books began to have the maesters, and have Westeros in general, have better medical knowledge than the real-life Middle Ages. Mostly because I didn't want everybody dying at twenty-six. So it is generally improved, the maesters have improved the standard of hygiene, and they understand certain practices, and they can do things better.''"<ref>Youtube: [https://youtu.be/OMvFNaqSWEo?t=47m20s George R R Martin visiting SF-Bokhandeln] @ 47:20 minutes (published July 2nd, 2015)</ref>

The Westerosi healing arts include potions that dull pain (e.g., [[milk of the poppy]]{{Ref|agot|2}} or [[dreamwine]]{{Ref|acok|7}}) and potions that either prevent pregnancy or induce abortions (e.g., [[moon tea]]{{Ref|ASOS|80}}{{Ref|AFFC|11}}). Wounds are often cleaned with boiling wine{{Ref|acok|67}}{{Ref|ASOS|31}} or treated with [[Myr]]ish fire{{Ref|AGOT|32}} or firemilk,{{Ref|agot|66}} while maggots may be used to eat out rotten parts. Maesters have learned to stitch wounds closed{{Ref|acok|67}} and how to use poultices to prevent infection.{{Ref|ASOS|31}}

While the nobles have access to maesters, commoners usually do not. They instead rely on traveling barbers, local healers,{{fact}} midwives,{{fact}} hedge wizards,{{Ref|AFFC|38}} or woods witches.{{Ref|ASOS|15}}{{ref|Asos|41}}, and their own knowledge of [[herb]]s.{{Ref|ACOK|19}}{{Ref|AFFC|0}}

The [[Dothraki]] [[khalasar]]s employ two types of healers: barren women who practice their healing with herbs, potions, and spells, and eunuch slaves, who use knives, needles, and fire.{{Ref|AGOT|61}}

In the [[Free Cities|Free City]] of [[Braavos]], healers for hire can be found at the [[House of the Red Hands]].{{Ref|AFFC|26}}{{Ref|AFFC|34}}

==Astronomy==
:{{Main|Astronomy}}

[[Astronomy]] is a topic studied by the [[maester]]s in [[Westeros]]. [[Myrish eye]]s mounted on tripods can be used to observe the stars.{{ref|asos|69}} At some locations, dedicated observatories can be found (e.g., at [[Winterfell]]{{ref|agot|5}}). The maesters of the Citadel compile maps of the starry sky for their research and studies and their knowledge is useful in navigation at the open sea.{{ref|agot|66}}{{Ref|ASOS|63}}

The names of constellations can differ between cultural groups. For example, the constellation known by the people of the [[Seven Kingdoms]] as the [[King's Crown (constellation)|King's Crown]]{{Ref|tss}} is called the Cradle by the [[free folk]] living north of the [[Wall]],{{Ref|asos|26}} while they call the Stallion{{Ref|tss}} the Horned Lord.{{Ref|ASOS|26}}

The [[Dothraki]], on the other hand, associate the stars in the sky with the deceased. They believe that the stars in the sky are horses made of fire, and that the starry sky is a great herd of fiery horses racing across the sky.{{ref|agot|46}} The Dothraki further believe that these horses of fire are ridden by deceased Dothraki, and that the more fiercely a person burned in life, the brighter said person’s star will be in death,{{Ref|agot|72}} causing maesters to say that the Dothraki believe the stars are the spirits of the valiant dead.{{Ref|acok|66}}

==Songs & Books==
Westeros has a deep mythic and historic legacy recounted in song, story, and literature. Not only do these tales recount the epics of legendary heroes and romances, but they also retell romanticised history and fables of fantastic creatures.

Books, scrolls, parchment, and paper have been described throughout the novels as in common use.  No society has ever been mentioned that use printing presses, or even wood block printing.

==Units of measurement==
:{{Main|Measurement}}

A measurement is the assignment of a number to a characteristic of an object or event, which can be compared with other objects or events.<ref>Definition of "[[w:measurement|measurement]]" as retrieved from Wikipedia on January 26, 2018</ref> Numerous units of measurement are described in ''A Song of Ice and Fire'', primarily their usage in [[Westeros]]. The Westerosi measurement units are non-metric, growing out of [[custom]]ary use and not abstract principles. Westeros appears to have a uniform system of weights and measures, mentioned interchangeably by characters from [[Oldtown]] to [[King's Landing]] or [[Winterfell]].  

There are several basic units of measurement<ref group="N">Based on [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SI_base_unit the defined base units] as determined by the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_System_of_Units International System of Units].</ref> that have been described in usage in Westeros: length, weight, and time. Most other units of measure thus far mentioned in text are units which have been derived from these basic ones, such as area and volume. Additionally, some units of measurements commonly used in the novels are more archaic in their usage, e.g. the term "[[w:Stone (unit)|stone]]" to indicate weight{{Ref|aGoT|4}} and the term "league" to indicate distance.{{Ref|aGoT|21}}

==Currency==
:{{Main|Currency}}

For currency, coins are the manner used most frequently, especially by merchants, owners of establishments, and the noble classes. [[Smallfolk]] might use either coins or barter. 

Thus far, no society in [[Westeros]] or [[Essos]] has been described as using paper currency. Most societies use currency in the form of coins made from precious metals such as gold, silver, or copper (with a few notable exceptions, such as the iron coins used in [[Braavos]]). Contracts written on parchment or paper are also accepted, though these are not "currency" as such: for example, the [[Brotherhood without Banners]] during the [[War of the Five Kings]] would give commoners notes promising to pay them for supplies they took after the war ended.{{ref|asos|39}} Similarly, [[Tyrion Lannister]] drew up contracts promising to pay the [[Second Sons]] with gold from [[Casterly Rock]] in return for their aid in restoring him to his lordship of it.{{Ref|aDwD|66}}

A notable exception on this system is the system of the [[Dothraki]], a nomadic people from [[Essos]]. The Dothraki are commonly said to neither buy nor sell.{{ref|ADWD|2}}{{Ref|ADWD|71}} It is considered to be unmanly.{{Ref|TWOIAF|Beyond the Free Cities: The Grasslands}} Despite the common saying that Dothraki do not sell,{{Ref|ADWD|5}}{{Ref|ADWD|50}} the Dothraki do sell their captives on occasion to the [[Slaver Cities]].{{Ref|ACOK|12}} They call these slaves "gifts", and in return receive gifts from the slavers.{{Ref|ADWD|50}} Giving and receiving gifts is the common way of Dothraki for doing trade.{{Ref|ADWD|5}}{{Ref|ADWD|50}}{{Ref|ADWD|71}} However, giving a gift in return might not always occur immediately upon receiving a gift.{{Ref|ADWD|36}} Common trade is allowed in the sacred Dothraki city [[Vaes Dothrak]], where, by the leave of the ''[[dosh khaleen]]'', merchants and traders gather to exchange goods and gold.{{Ref|TWOIAF|Beyond the Free Cities: The Grasslands}} There, they mostly trade with each other, and little with the Dothraki themselves.{{Ref|agot|54}}

[[George R. R. Martin]] has compared the Westerosi coinage to medieval coinage, saying that ''"Westerosi coinage is probably more complex than actual British medieval coinage"'', despite some similarities.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/1243 Blackwood-Bracken Feud and Coinage (August 13, 2003)]</ref> 

==See also==
* [[Bestiary]]: a listing of all known animal types from the world of ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]''
* [[Armament]]: on military technology and equipment
* [[:Category:Songs|List of all known songs]]
* [[:Category:Books and scrolls|List of all known books and scrolls]]

==Notes==
{{Notes}}

==References==
{{references|2}}

[[Category:science and technology]]
[[Category:culture]]