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+ Also, for the history of science and technology in the Republic of China (1912–49), a period of tremendous growth, see the brief section below. Ancient Han Chinese scientists, engineers, astronomers, philosophers, mathematicians and medical doctors made significant innovations, scientific discoveries and technological advances in science, technology, engineering, medicine, military technology, mathematics, geology and astronomy. Traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture and herbal medicine were also developed through empirical observation and scientific experimentation. Among the earliest inventions were the abacus, the "shadow clock," and the first items such as Kongming lanterns.〔 The ''Four Great Inventions'': the compass, gunpowder, papermaking, and printing, were among the most important technological advances, only known to Europe by the end of the Middle Ages 1000 years later. The Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906) in particular, was a time of great innovation.〔 A good deal of exchange occurred between Western and Chinese discoveries up to the Qing Dynasty. The Jesuit China missions of the 16th and 17th centuries introduced Western science and astronomy, then undergoing its own revolution, to China, and knowledge of Chinese technology was brought to Europe.〔Thomas Woods, ''How the Catholic Church Built Western Civilization'' (Washington, DC: Regenery, 2005)〕〔Agustín Udías, p.53〕 In the 19th and 20th century the introduction of Western technology was a major factor in the modernization of China. Much of the early Western work in the history of science in China was done by Joseph Needham. == Mo Di and the School of Names == The Warring States period began 2500 years ago at the time of the invention of the crossbow.〔, p.218〕 Needham notes that the invention of the crossbow "far outstripped the progress in defensive armor", which made the wearing of armor useless to the princes and dukes of the states.〔, p.10〕 At this time, there were also many nascent schools of thought in China — the Hundred Schools of Thought (諸子百家), scattered among many polities. The schools served as communities which advised the rulers of these states. Mo Di (墨翟 Mozi, 470 BCE–ca. 391 BCE) introduced concepts useful to one of those rulers, such as defensive fortification. One of these concepts, ''fa'' (法 principle or method)〔 p. 185〕 was extended by the School of Names (名家 ''Ming jia'', ''ming''=name), which began a systematic exploration of logic. The development of a school of logic was cut short by the defeat of Mohism's political sponsors by the Qin Dynasty, and the subsumption of ''fa'' as law rather than method by the Legalists (法家 ''Fa jia''). Needham further notes that the Han Dynasty, which conquered the short-lived Qin, were made aware of the need for law by Lu Chia and by Shu-Sun Thung, as defined by the scholars, rather than the generals.〔 Derived from Taoist philosophy, one of the newest longstanding contributions of the ancient Chinese are in Traditional Chinese medicine, including acupuncture and herbal medicine. The practice of acupuncture can be traced back as far as the 1st millennium BC and some scientists believe that there is evidence that practices similar to acupuncture were used in Eurasia during the early Bronze Age.〔(), ()〕 Using shadow clocks and the abacus (both invented in the ancient Near East before spreading to China), the Chinese were able to record observations, documenting the first recorded solar eclipse in 2137 BC, and making the first recording of any planetary grouping in 500 BC.〔(Ancient Chinese Astronomy )〕 These claims, however, are highly disputed and rely on much supposition.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Solar Eclipses of Historical Interest )〕 The Book of Silk was the first definitive atlas of comets, written ''c.''400 BC. It listed 29 comets (referred to as ''sweeping stars'') that appeared over a period of about 300 years, with renderings of comets describing an event its appearance corresponded to.〔 In architecture, the pinnacle of Chinese technology manifested itself in the Great Wall of China, under the first Chinese Emperor Qin Shi Huang between 220 and 200 BC. Typical Chinese architecture changed little from the succeeding Han Dynasty until the 19th century.〔''Buildings'' (Pocket Guides).〕 The Qin Dynasty also developed the crossbow, which later became the mainstream weapon in Europe. Several remains of crossbows have been found among the soldiers of the Terracotta Army in the tomb of Qin Shi Huang.〔(Weapons of the terracotta army )〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「History of science and technology in China」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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