About the Origin of Niu Geng (excerpt)
Ploughs originated in the late primitive society (Neolithic period) and went through three stages: wood and stone plows, bronze plows and iron plows, and Niu Geng also came into being. "Shan Hai Jing Hai Nei Jing" records: "Hou Ji is sowing hundreds of valleys. Uncle Sun Yue, the son of Ji, is the initiator of Niu Geng. "
Mr. Guo Moruo said in China Historical Draft: "Niu Geng may have been invented in Shang Dynasty. The word' plow' is common in Oracle inscriptions, like the shape of a cow pulling a plow to open the soil. According to a large number of archaeological data, it was found that Niu Geng was used in Shang and Zhou Dynasties, but it was only a rare phenomenon, and it was not popular. With the rapid development of iron smelting industry in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, China began to use iron plowshares, Niu Geng has become more common, Niu Geng's technology has reached a certain level, and Niu Geng has played an important role in agricultural production. ?
Oracle Bone Inscriptions (Oracle) "Plow"