Lack of technological progress in late Roman Empire

[Carlton Bach]

Just watching a History Channel program and they're discussing the Roman innovations of false teeth and cataract surgery.

Except that those most likely aren't Roman.

This is a real proböle with ancient (and early medieval) innovations. Someone spots one in a source and publishes it. Proof now exists that this thing existed at that point. People begin to assume that this is broadly the date of its invention. After a while, theories are based on this, and soon enough, everyone assumes that 'The X already knew Y' translates into 'the X invented Y' and thus the X were great innovators for inventing Y, and the earlier Z slouches for not doing so. And then someone finds a Y in a Z context

False teeth probably predate Rome by several centuries, though the interpretation of both Egyptian and Etruscan finds is debates. Cataract operations may be mentioned in Babylonian sources. But the Romans *did* invent the hypocaust, at least until someone excavates an Egyptian one