The history of science traces the development of human understanding of the natural world from ancient times to the present. Early civilizations, such as the Mesopotamians and Egyptians, made significant contributions in fields like astronomy and medicine. The Greeks, particularly philosophers like Aristotle and Archimedes, laid the groundwork for scientific inquiry by emphasizing observation and reasoning. During the Renaissance, a renewed interest in classical knowledge led to advancements in various scientific disciplines. The invention of the printing press facilitated the spread of ideas, while figures like Galileo and Newton revolutionized physics and mathematics. The scientific method emerged as a systematic approach to experimentation, shaping modern science.