Inventions of China
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There were many inventions of China, as China is arguably one of the most advanced early civilizations. The easiest way to visualize all of the Chinese inventions is to divide them up by Dynasty.
THE SHANG DYNASTY- 1766 BCE to 1027 BCE
The Shang Dynasty invented many inventions, one of their specialties is metallurgy. The Shang Dynasty crafted bronze ships, weapons, and other tools. From a more educational standpoint, they also developed a writing system; they would write on oracle bones.
Oracle Bones are probably one of this dynasties greatest invention. After they had created the writing system, they needed something to write on, so they would write on flat cattle bones or on tortoise shells. The oracle bones were used by diviners to connect and speak with their ancestors spirits. The diviners would write down messages and questions on the bones, they would proceed by heating the bones until they split, at which point they would read the cracks on the bones. To finish off the ceremony, the bones would be annotated with basically whatever the ancestors said.
The bronzes were used for sacrifices and ritual meals.
IRON AGE- about 475-221 BCE
The Iron age is the next period to invent significant inventions. The Iron age created iron tipped plows, they increased the population by inventing improved irrigation techniques (strengthened food supply), everyone became merchants and traders, therefore their communication system improved. The Iron Age's inventions more improved the standard of living, rather than the Shang's inventions which might have improved some of the standard of living, but their inventions were more governmental. The Iron Age improved their standard of living through flood control, they dug canals, and they worked some on irrigation projects.
QIN DYNASTY- 221 BCE- 206 BCE
The Qin dynasty did not have a huge amount of inventions, but the ones they did have were incredibly significant. They Shih Huang Ti standardized writing and mathematics throughout all of his kingdom to simplify thing for everyone. This also promoted trade between local cities. The Qin Dynasty's most well known invention is the Great Wall of China, 5,000 kilometers of protection against barbarians.
HAN DYNASTY- 206 BCE- 9 AD
The Han Dynasty, like the Qin Dynasty, did not have many inventions, but the ones they did have were immensely significant. The Han Dynasty invented porcelain and paper. The invention of paper, did not just increase China's lifestyle it improved the whole worlds lifestyle. Well, maybe not lifestyle, but learning experience.
Most of the Chinese Dynasties made at least one contribution to society, if not more. All of their inventions benefit everyone's lifestyle and standard of living.
All information comes from the St. John's School History Manual, part 2, China Mandate of Heaven, pages 179-191.
Caroline W.
