CHINESE CIVILIZATION

● One of the world’s earliest and most influential civilizations, aged almost 5,000 years.
● Originated in the Yellow River Basin and developed around the Xia, Shang, and Zhou
dynasties.
● Over time, it expanded and developed into a complex society with distinct philosophical,
political, and social aspects shaped by Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism.

SILK

It is an essential part of Chinese civilization, both culturally and economically. The story of
silk’s discovery is attributed to the Empress Xi Ling Shi, who accidentally dropped her silk
cocoon into her hot tea , discovering the long, fine thread.

● Silk played a role in Chinese society, both as a luxury item and a symbol of status. It was
used for clothing, bedding, curtains, and other household items.
● The finest silk, known as “Han silk,” was reserved for royalty and high-ranking officials.

● The production of silk originated in Neolithic China within the Yangshao culture (4th
millenium BC). Though it would later reach other places in the world, the art of silk
production remained confined to China until the Silk Road opened at 114 BC.
● The Silk Road, a network of trade routes connecting China to the West, was established
to facilitate the exchange of goods, ideas, and technologies.

● Silk fabrics were adorned with intricate patterns and designs, showcasing the skill of
Chinese craftsmen. It also played a role in Chinese ceremonies, such as weddings and
funerals.
TEA PRODUCTION

● One of the oldest cultural practices in the world, 4,000 years ago.
● According to legend, the discovery of tea was made by Emperor Shennong in
2737 BCE when a leaf from a wild tree fell into his boiling water. The resulting
brew was found to be refreshing and invigorating.
● Tea cultivation began in the areas of Yunnan, Sichuan, and Fujian provinces. Over
time, different tea varieties were developed, such as green tea, black tea, oolong
tea , and white tea.
 ● The processing of tea leaves varies depending on the type of tea being produced.
● Tea production in China flourished during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE), when tea was
introduced to Japan and became an essential part of Japanese culture.
● The Song Dynasty (960-1279 CE) saw the development of tea ceremonies, which
emphasized the appreciation of tea as a spiritual and aesthetic experience.

THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA

● Once considered the only man-made structure that could be seen from outer space, the
Great Wall of China is said to be the largest and most extensive infrastructure that the
nation built. It was constructed to keep out foreign invaders and control the borders of
China.
Emperor Qin Shi Huang- originally conceived the great wall of china. He is the first
emperor of a unified China under the Qin Dynasty.
● It is estimated to have a length of 13, 170 miles(21, 196 km).
● Made with stone, brick, wood, earth, and other materials, it showcased the extent of
Chinese engineering technology at that time. The structure was so massive and strong
that it was said to have literally divided China from the rest of the world.
 ● The wall’s construction put the nation among the powerful civilizations during the
ancient times. It was the pride of their land and their crowning glory. Today, with some
sections already in ruins, the Great Wall still continues to be a world attraction due to its
historical significance and architectural grandeur.

GUNPOWDER

● The Gunpowder is one of the most interesting inventions in China and it is also
commonly known as a black powder. Originally, it was developed by Chinese alchemists
who aimed to achieve immortality. They mixed charcoal, sulfur, and potassium nitrate,
but instead of creating an elixir of life, they accidentally invented a black powder that
could actually generate large amounts of heat and gas in an instant.
● Was first recorded around 800 A. D.. By the 1700’s the invention had spread around the
world.
● Ironically, instead of prolonging life, gunpowder is widely used to propel bullets from
guns and cannons which cause countless deaths. In fact, gunpowder-propelled weapons
are preferred by raiders who plan to attack at a distance. The same weapons are also used
to dissipate any attempts of invasion.

● On the other hand, gunpowder is also used in fireworks during important celebrations in
China.
● Gunpowder is still being used today. It takes less than half a second to ignite and it also
can reach heats of up to 800 degrees Celsius.

MEDIEVAL/MIDDLE AGES

● Began around 467 A. D., it span roughly 1,000 years, ending between 1,400 and 1,450. It
is also the period in European history from the collapse of Roman Civilization in the 5th
century C. E to the period of the Renaissance.
● The start of the middle ages was marred by massive invasions and migrations. Wars were
prevalent during this time. As such, great technology was needed in the fields of
weaponry, navigation, mass food and farm production, and health.
● The wars have resulted in population decline, but during the latter part of the period,
there was a significant rise in population. Trade and commerce among nations increased,
which resulted in greater demands for transportation technology. Some of the most
innovative minds came from this period.
PRINTING PRESS

● After the Chinese developed woodblock printing, Johann Gutenberg was able to invent
the printing press, a more reliable way of printing using a cast type.
● He utilized wooden machines that extracted juices from fruits, attached to them a metal
impression of the letters, and pressed firmly tha cast metal into a piece of paper, which
then made an exact impression on paper.

The Gutenberg Press

● This general invention soon evolved to be the mechanical printing press which
was eventually used all over the world.
● The printing press was invented to address the need for publishing books that
would spread information to many people at a faster rate.
● This invention also made works accessible to individuals who could not even write
(Streissguth, 1997).
MICROSCOPE

● Growing populations caused massive migration and urbanization during the period. More
and more people transferred to polluted and populated urban areas which resulted in more
people getting sick and needing medical attention.
● To develop the proper medicines for illnesses, experts must understand the sickness
through an investigation. Thus, they needed a device that could magnify things invisible
to the eye.

● Guided by the principles used for the invention of eyeglasses in earlier years, Zacharias
Janssen was able to develop the first compound microscope. With this device, people
were able to observe organisms that were normally unseen by the naked eye.
● The microscope was key in discovering new means in preventing and curing various
illnesses (Davidson, 2015).

Reproduction of an Early Microscope

 TELESCOPE

● Since the middle ages was known as the Age of Exploration, the need for nautical
inventions was high.
● Considering the vast and empty oceans that separated the lands, ship captains needed to
see far and wide for them to navigate or to avoid dangers at the sea.

Medieval/Middle ages Telescope

● The invention of the telescope, an optical instrument that helps in the observation of
remote objects , was a great help for navigators during this time .
● Together with the telescope, the invention of the compass, oars, and rudders made sea
travel easier and safer (Helden, 1989).
● Telescopes were also important tools for astronomers to study the night sky. They
allowed people to see distant objects like stars and planets more clearly, helping them
understand the universe better.
 SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY and SOCIETY
GEC 108 Hh

CHINESE CIVILIZATION and MEDIEVAL/MIDDLE AGES

GROUP 4
PANDAC, MERRY CHRISTINE
BUHIAN, JEHAINA
COMODAS, ALLIA MIE