The budding period of science and technology
The budding period of science and technology in China was the Paleolithic Age and the Neolithic Age. China is one of the birthplaces of early human civilization in the world. It is one of the first areas in the world to use fire, invent bows and arrows and pottery, to develop agriculture and animal husbandry, observe astronomy, and pioneer medicine. Started making silk from silk.
Pre-Qin Period
The Xia, Shang and Zhou dynasties laid the prototype of Chinese science and technology. At this time, China entered the Bronze Age. The casting and smelting technology of bronzes was very advanced, and primitive porcelain also appeared. By the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, China's ancient science and technology system was basically established. Iron tools were widely used, and steelmaking technology and cast iron softening technology also emerged. The book "Xia Xiaozheng" is the earliest existing agricultural almanac in China. There are large-scale water conservancy projects, including Dujiangyan, Zhengguo Canal, etc. Create the decimal system. Inventive calculation, able to perform four arithmetic operations as well as more complex operations such as exponentiation and square root, and can express and calculate zero, negative numbers and fractions. Some scholars believe that planning contributed to the Hindu-Arabic numeral system. Created the Jiu Yin Ge, the simplest multiplication table in the world, which is still in use today. One of the world's earliest star catalogs appeared. A relatively accurate length of tropical year was determined. The theory of traditional Chinese medicine was initially established.
Qin and Han Dynasties
Various science and technology in ancient China have become mature. The crop rotation system in agriculture has been established. Traditional Chinese medicine works "Shen Nong's Materia Medica" and "Treatise on Febrile and Miscellaneous Diseases" were published. "Nine Chapters on Arithmetic" determines the ancient Chinese mathematical system. Papermaking had been invented and greatly improved. Shipbuilding technology is very mature. The construction of the Great Wall reflects the development of China's construction technology at that time. Zhang Heng invented the Houfeng seismograph, the earliest seismograph in the world. There is already a star navigation technology (star-crossing technology). He invented the flush toilet and was the first country in the world to use flush toilets.
During the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties
Liu Hui, Zu Chongzhi, Zhang Zixin and others made great contributions to mathematics and astronomy. The six cartographic entities proposed by Pei Xiu created the basic theory of ancient Chinese cartography. Jia Sixie's "Essentials for Elevating the People" marks the maturity of agricultural science. Wang Shuhe's "Mai Jing", Huang Fumi's "Acupuncture and Moxibustion Classics A and B", and Tao Hongjing's "Shen Nong's Materia Medica" enriched the system of traditional Chinese medicine. Ge Hong's research on alchemy made contributions to China's primitive chemistry. Ma Jun's achievements in mechanical manufacturing represent the level of ancient Chinese mechanical manufacturing. Jie Fei and Wei Mengbian created the world's earliest turning mill.
Sui, Tang, and Song Dynasties
Song Dynasty Science and Technology During the Sui and Tang Dynasties, the economy and culture were developed, which led to great development of science and technology. By the Song Dynasty, the development of science and technology in ancient China reached its peak.
During the Yuan Dynasty
Arab and Persian science and technology were introduced to China. Translated astronomical works such as Ptolemy's Astronomical Collection and Ibn Yunus (also translated as Yuni)'s Al-Hakim's Catalog (also translated as "Al-Hakim's Book of Almanacs"). The Chinese began to use Arabic numerals at this time. In the 17th year of the Yuan Dynasty (1280), Wang Xun, Guo Shoujing and others completed the compilation of the "Time Granting Calendar". The "Time Calendar" uses 365.2425 days as one year, which is only 26 seconds different from the actual time it takes for the earth to orbit the sun. In 1303, Zhu Shijie wrote "Si Yuan Jade Mirror", which promoted "Tian Yuan Shu" to "Si Yuan Shu" (four yuan higher-order simultaneous equations) and proposed the solution of "elimination". Zhu Shijie also studied the summation problem of finite term series, and based on this, he obtained the interpolation formula of higher-order differences. It is generally believed that the first six volumes of Euclid's "Elements" were translated and introduced into China by Xu Guangqi in the Ming Dynasty with the help of the Italian missionary Matteo Ricci. However, some scholars believe that this book had been brought to China as early as the Yuan Dynasty. Muslims brought to China. [3] Traditional Chinese medicine has developed greatly, and the four major schools of Jin and Yuan Dynasty have emerged. On the basis of inheriting tradition, medicine has developed a situation of "accommodating and sharing what is needed", which has greatly enriched the content of medical knowledge. "Hui Hui Prescriptions" is China's large-scale comprehensive Hui medicine classic. It is a medical classic that covers internal medicine, surgery, gynecology, pediatrics, orthopedics and dermatology, and has Chinese and Western characteristics.
In 1291, Guo Shoujing directed the construction of the canal from Dadu to Tongzhou in the Yuan Dynasty. The Tonghui River is a masterpiece in the history of Chinese engineering construction. The ingenious method used is basically the same as the technology used in some foreign canals today. "Nongshu" compiled by Wang Zhen has 37 volumes, 36 of which are now available. It is an ancient Chinese work that provides a comprehensive and systematic discussion of agricultural production. The "Agricultural Book" contains more than 130,000 words and more than 300 pictures. The full text is divided into three parts: "Nongsang Tongjue", "Hundred Grain Manual", and "Agricultural Instrument Atlas". "Nongsang Tongjue" includes comprehensive discussions on various aspects of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, sideline production, fishery and water conservancy, etc., and puts forward the farming thought of "according to the weather, adapting to the location, and depending on the people". "Hundred Grain Pu" introduces the varieties, characteristics, cultivation, planting, harvesting, storage and utilization of various crops, and divides crops into six categories: cereals, vegetables, fruits and miscellaneous crops, laying the foundation for Chinese crop taxonomy. ; and the description of plant traits has never been seen in previous books. The "Agricultural Machinery Atlas" is the key part of the "Agricultural Book". This part is divided into 20 categories on the field system, warehouses, boats and carts, irrigation, sericulture, fiber weaving, hemp and other aspects. It introduces 257 kinds of agricultural machinery in detail, and is accompanied by drawings. With 306 compositions and text descriptions, its value exceeds all previous agricultural machinery books. In terms of movable type printing, Wang Zhen designed wooden movable type and a runner typesetting frame, and used wooden movable type to typeset "Jingde County Chronicle" in 1298; his "Calligraphy of Making Movable Type Printing" (attached to the end of "Nongshu") is The earliest scientific and technical document that systematically introduces movable type typesetting and printing.
Ming Dynasty Period
The scientific and technological achievements of the Ming Dynasty were as brilliant as the stars. Extraordinary achievements were made in all walks of life, and many masterpieces by famous artists emerged.
Mathematics
In terms of mathematics, Wang Wensu wrote "Baojian of Arithmetic Science", Cheng Dawei wrote the masterpiece "Zhizhi Algorithm Tongzong" which summarizes the theory of abacus, and Xu Guangqi translated "Geometry". "Original", Li Zhizao's "Tongwen Suanzhi".
Astronomy
In terms of astronomy, the famous published book "The White Ape Presents the Three Lights" (author unknown) contains 132 cloud pictures, Zhao Youqin wrote "The New Book of Gexiang", and Xu Guangqi The results of Western calendars were absorbed into the "Chongzhen Almanac", Li Zhizao wrote "Hungai Tongxian Illustration", and Wang Xi explained "Xiao'an New Law". Installed China's first astronomical telescope: "yong".
Geography
In terms of geography, the "Navigation Chart of Zheng He" was compiled, Xu Xiake's "Travel Notes of Xu Xiake", the earliest world map "Kunyu Wanguo Complete Map", Gu Yanwu He is the author of "Zhi of Zhaoyu" and "Book of Benefits and Diseases of Prefectures and Countries in the World".
Architecture
In terms of architecture, in the early Ming Dynasty, large-scale civil engineering projects were carried out, including the construction of the Forbidden City and the construction of the Great Wall, which was planned to be written as the Great Wall of Gardens
The famous study "Yuan Ye" 》.
Medicine
In terms of medicine, Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty organized and compiled "Puji Fang", Li Shizhen wrote "Compendium of Materia Medica", Yang Jizhou wrote "Acupuncture Dacheng", Chen Shigong wrote "Surgery Authentic", Wu Youxing wrote "On Plague" and Zhang Jingyue wrote "Leijing". The Ming Dynasty was also the first in the world to vaccinate against smallpox.
Agriculture
In terms of agriculture, Yu Zongben wrote "The Book of Planting Trees", Zhu Xi wrote "Herbal Medicine for Famine Relief", Ma Yilong wrote "Agricultural Theory", and Tu Benjun wrote the earliest existing ocean in China. The biological monograph "Fujian Zhonghai Cuoshu", the veterinary work "Yuanheng's Horse Treatment Collection" co-authored by Yu Ren and Yu Jie, and "The Complete Book of Agricultural Affairs" written by Xu Guangqi, corn, sweet potatoes, potatoes, peanuts, tobacco, tomatoes, sunflowers, pumpkins , chili peppers were introduced from the Americas.
Military Science
In terms of military science, Mao Yuanyi wrote "Military Bei Zhi" and published the famous book "Fire Dragon Scripture", Zhao Shizhen wrote "The Spectrum of Divine Weapons", Sun Yuanhua wrote "The Divine Machine of Western Law", Jiao Xu wrote "Fire Attack Zhi Yao", Wang Zheng compiled China's first systematic mechanical engineering monograph "Illustrated Description of New Weapons", and Qi Jiguang wrote "New Book of Records" and "Records of Military Training".
Weapon Technology
In terms of weapon technology, the bowl-mouth gun was made in 1372, the hand gun (small-diameter tube shape) was made in 1377, and the "Sacred Fire Flying Crow" was invented at the end of the 14th century, in 1453 Made copper fire guns (smooth-bore type), cast Franco machine guns in Beijing in 1524, invented the "fire dragon out of water" in the middle of the 16th century, and made China's first batch of 10,000 matchlock guns in 1558, called "bird's mouth guns" In 1580, Qi Jiguang invented the "self-inflicted steel wheel fire" (its effect was similar to that of landmines), and in 1642, muskets appeared in Nanjing.
Physics
In terms of physics, Zhu Zaiyu wrote the musical work "Lü Lu Jingyi", Song Yingxing wrote "Tiangong Kaiwu", and Fang Yizhi wrote "Little Knowledge of Physics" ", Wanhu conducted the world's earliest rocket launch test, Sun Yunqiu manufactured dozens of optical instruments such as magnifying glasses and microscopes, and wrote "The History of Mirrors".
Qing Dynasty
During the Kangxi period, after more than 30 years of planning and surveying work, the "Overview Map of the Imperial Palace" was produced. During the Qianlong period, Ming Antu and others were sent to Xinjiang and other places twice for surveying and mapping. Finally, based on the "Comprehensive Map of the Imperial Map" and the new data from surveying and mapping, the "Comprehensive Map of the Imperial Map of Qianlong's Inner Palace" was produced. . These two maps still have great reference value today. During the Qianlong period, the official compiled the ninety-volume "Yi Zong Jin Jian", collected many new secrets and empirical prescriptions, and made many textual researches on "The Synopsis of the Golden Chamber", "Treatise on Febrile Diseases" and other books. It is an introduction to Han Dynasty. An important work on medical clinical experience. Wang Qingren wrote "Yi Lin Correction", emphasizing the importance of anatomical knowledge in medical treatment, and raised questions about the records of internal organs in ancient books. Through anatomical research on the internal organs of corpses, he drew two pictures of "Correction of Internal Organs with Personal Views" Fifteen kinds correct some mistakes of predecessors. Wang Xi explained more than a dozen astronomical works such as "Xiao'an New Method" and "Five Planets Calendar". He affirmed the advancement of the Western calendar and pointed out its many shortcomings and errors. He also analyzed the calculation of solar and lunar eclipses. , the application of astronomical data, as well as the length of the tropical year, the precession constant and other issues, they all put forward relatively pertinent opinions, which promoted the development of Chinese almanacism. Mei Wending organized and analyzed ancient Chinese calendar science, and also studied and introduced Western science. He wrote 86 books on astronomy, calendars, and mathematics. His book "Chinese and Western Mathematics" summarized almost all the knowledge of mathematics in the world at that time, reaching the highest level of Chinese mathematics research at that time. In the "Equation Theory" part of the book, it clarifies the originality of ancient Chinese equations and points out that this algorithm is not found in the West; in the "Pythagorean Measurement" and "Nine Numbers Preserved in the Ancient" and other parts, it also proves that ancient Chinese Achievements in algorithms; in the sections "Measurement of Difficulties" and "Geometric Compensation", Western spherical trigonometry is introduced, and Western solid geometry is discussed and developed; while in "Calculation", "Calculation", "Proportional Numbers" In sections such as "Explanation", methods such as Western logarithms and Galileo's rule of proportion are explained and introduced. Ming Antu wrote four volumes of "Shortcut Methods for Cutting Circles." Because the three methods of cutting circles introduced from Europe at that time (finding the circumference by the diameter of the circle, finding the sine from the back of the circle, and finding the positive vector from the back of the string) only had formulas, but no method to prove the formulas, so the "circle-cutting method" was used to prove it. He is the first person in China to use analytical methods to study pi. . Gong Zhenlin pioneered the iron mold casting method in 1841 and wrote "Illustrated Description of Iron Mold Casting Cannons", which is one of the earliest scientific and technological documents in the world that discusses the iron mold casting method. Li Shanlan independently invented logarithmic calculus and proposed Li Shanlan’s identity in terms of combinatorial identities. In 1872, he published "The Method of Examining the Roots of Numbers", which was the earliest work on prime number theory in China.