DISCOVERING THE SULTANS OF SCIENCE
Professor Mike Bruton, imagineer
Wednesday 20 January < 1.00 pm < COURSE FEES R115; Staff and students R58
What if many of the scientific breakthroughs we associate with the West actually have much older roots? In this lecture Mike Bruton draws on 14 years of research conducted across Cape Town, Dubai, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain to uncover the rich legacy of Muslim scholars during the Golden Age of Islam (750–1500 CE).
Working with MTE Studios, he helped develop content for major international museums and travelling exhibitions – bringing to life a period of extraordinary intellectual curiosity and innovation. This lecture will journey across disciplines including astronomy, mathematics, physics, medicine, engineering, botany, zoology and other topics, revealing a vibrant tradition of discovery that shaped the course of global knowledge.
From groundbreaking advances in medicine to early engineering feats and mathematical insights, many ideas commonly credited to Western scientists were in fact pioneered centuries earlier by Muslim scientists. These contributions laid crucial foundations for the Renaissance, Enlightenment and Industrial Age in Europe. Engaging and eye-opening, this lecture challenges familiar narratives of scientific history and uncovers a more connected, global story of human achievement – one filled with surprising insights and long-overdue recognition.
Recommended reading
Bruton, M. (forthcoming). Discovering the Sultans of Science. Human Sciences Research Council, Cape Town.
TO BOOK: https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/performance.aspx?itemid=1602817797