Chinese Civilization

• Silk


  Naturally produced by silkworms, Chinese developed the technology to harvest and process it to produce paper and clothing
• Oracle Bone Script


  Early form of Chinese writing, inscribed on oracle bones for divination purposes
• Bronze Casting


  Advanced techniques for ritual vessels, weapons, and other artifacts
• Seismograph


  Han dynasty invented the first seismograph called "Houfeng Didong" to measure the movements of the earth and seasonal winds
• Wheelbarrow


  Invention credited to prime minister Zhuge Liangof Shu Han, created to carry military weapons and move injured and dead soldiers from the battlefield
• Compass


  The Chinese considered south their cardinal direction, and the original compass was created using a lodestone to point south, called the south pointer
• Kites


  The Chinese used silk or paper and lightweight bamboo framework, used for carrying messages, testing wind, measuring distance, and military communication
• Tea


  During a march, a servant prepared boiling water and a brown leaf fell into it, turning the water brown, the emperor found it refreshing
• Banknotes


  Introduction of paper money as a medium of exchange, replacing the use of bulky coins
• Silk Road


  Facilitated trade and cultural exchange between China and the West
• Papermaking


  Cai Lun invented the process of making paper from wood pulp and other plant fibers
• Great Wall of China


  Construction of the initial sections to defend against invasions from northern nomadic tribes