The perception that the Earth is round has been known for thousands of years, dating back to ancient civilizations. The ancient Greeks, for example, speculated about the Earth's shape based on various observations and mathematical reasoning.
However, it is true that the widespread acceptance and understanding of the Earth's roundness took time and required scientific evidence to support the notion. In the case of the Moon, its spherical shape has been readily apparent to observers for centuries due to its regular appearance and the way it casts a round shadow during lunar eclipses.
The delay in recognizing the Earth's roundness by some cultures and societies can be attributed to a combination of factors, including limited technology and information dissemination, cultural beliefs, and a lack of direct observations.
Technological limitations: In ancient times, long-distance travel and exploration were limited. This made it difficult for people to observe the Earth's curvature directly. The absence of advanced technology, such as telescopes, also hindered detailed observations.
Limited information dissemination: Communication and sharing of knowledge were relatively slow compared to the present era. Ideas and discoveries often spread gradually and were confined to specific regions or cultures. Therefore, the understanding of the Earth's shape was not universally known or accepted.
Cultural beliefs and cosmology: Cultural beliefs and religious or philosophical frameworks sometimes influenced the perception of the Earth's shape. In certain cultures, cosmological models or creation myths depicted the Earth as flat or structured differently.
It is important to note that while some ancient cultures had misconceptions about the Earth's shape, others correctly understood its roundness. For instance, ancient Greek scholars, such as Pythagoras and later Aristotle, proposed evidence and arguments for a spherical Earth based on observations and mathematical reasoning.
Overall, the realization that the Earth is round took time to solidify due to a combination of factors, including limited technology, dissemination of information, and cultural influences. However, the understanding of the Earth's roundness has been well-established for centuries, and scientific advancements and space exploration have provided overwhelming evidence to support this fact.