So, the matter as such is in fact not so very remarkable. Nevertheless there is a fundamental difference between the preceding cultures and the modern, originally western, culture. This doesn't concern the tangible results, but on the contrary the cultural status of the sciences. From now on these sciences and their development are constituting the essence of the modern culture. So, we have to do with a completely new item in the cultural history.
Science is no longer a normal human phenomenon.
Starting with the Enlightenment at the end of the 18th century science is grown into something crucial around which everything revolves. Of course this is of great influence on the modern society. But in the meantime these hopeful expectations of the people of the Enlightenment, namely that this influence would bring about a reasonable and fair world, turned out to be vain. In spite of the scientifically based education the modern world shows an astonishing lack of fairness and humanity. But above all there has grown a terrible alienation.