A Survey of Ancient Chinese Science

The history of science and technology in China is both long and rich with manycontributions to science and technology.In antiquity,independently of other civilizations,ancient Chinese philosophers made significant advances in science,technology,mathematics,and astronomy.The first recorded observations of comets,solar eclipses,and supernovae weremade in China.Traditional Chinese medicine,acupuncture and herbal medicine were alsopracticed.

Among the earliest inventions were the abacus,the”shadow clock,”and the first flyingmachines such as kites and Kongming lanterns.The four Great Inventions of ancient China:thecompass,gunpowder,papermaking,and printing,were among the most important technologicaladvances,only known in Europe by the end of the Middle Ages.The Tang Dynasty(AD 618-906)in particular,was a time of great innovation.A good deal of exchange occurred betweenWestern and Chinese discoveries up to the Qing Dynasty.

The Jesuit China missions of the 16th and 17th centuries introduced Western science andastronomy,then undergoing its own revolution,to China,and brought knowledge of Chinesetechnology to Europe.Much of the early Western work in the history of science in China wasdone by Joseph Needham.

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