I think this is what is considered a coffee table book?  The book is larger than usual, has loads of colour photos and illustrations, and 70 short chapters of (usually) 2-4 pages in length on a wide variety of topics such as basketry, glass making, weaving, smelting, stone architecture, agricultural tools, watermills, pumps, wheeled vehicles, camel saddles, bridges, sailing vessels, navigation, methods and tools for war and hunting, plumbing, water supply, skis, games, musical instruments, writing instruments, calendars, cartography, surgical instruments, cosmetics, etc.  Each topic could become a whole book in itself, but this book provides a lovely broad and concise overview of the 70 great inventions of the ancient world, as selected by the editor.  It provides something to think about and a starting off point for more research.