Ancient Asian Engineering Flashcards
Why is Asian Architecture rich and unique
unique building types, statues, gardens and shrines, tower clocks (China)
What were the Four Great Inventions
the compass, gunpowder, paper making, and printing
What was the earliest astronomical observation in China
records of supernova explosions in 1400 BC
What did Chinese Astronomy consist of
lunar and solar calendars, astrology, Chinese constellations, prediction of astronomical phenomena, recording comets
What did Chinese astronomers record every instance of?
Halleys Comet 3000 years ago
What was the structure in Taosi possibly used for?
astronomical observatory, 2300 BC to 1900 BC
What occurred during the Shang Dynasty
1600 BC to 1050 BC tools, weapons, religious objects (bronze) writing development construction of religious sites kings were considered to have divine nature decorated underground tombs development of ceramic artifacts structures had symmetry
What are important features in Chinese architecture
emphasis on articulation and bilateral symmetry
enclosed
hierarchy
horizontal emphasis
cosmological concepts
gardens with screen walls, talismans, and door guards
What did Chinese gardens contain
buildings or pavilions with decorative rocks and rock gardens
plants
trees, flowers
water elements like ponds
enclosed by a wall with winding paths
cannot see entire garden at once, only scenes
Why are rocks important?
They harness concentrated natural energy
Describe early magnetism
Qin Dynasty 221-206 BC
discovery of magnetism in loadstone
development of simple compasses for geomancy and fortune telling and later for navigation by the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279)
Describe the relationship between population and technology
increase in population leads to spur of technological innovation, especially when more food is needed
survival technology for new cropping patterns
What was the importance of the Great Silk Road
lead to trade and technological change
trade in luxury goods between China and West Asia that stimulated change
export of Chinese silk was stimulus to textile industry in the West
What did the Hebei and Henan provinces develop
rapid expansion of iron industry by using wood and charcoal fuel for furnaces
What hydraulic methods did the Chinese develop?
spillways and pound locks
What is an example of Pre-modern R&D
The government interference of introduction of new variety of rice that was modified for faster growth and less water need
How did Chinese Ships compare to those of the rest of the world
They were about ten times larger than Columbus’ ships and could carry much more cargo and people
What was significant about water-powered mechanical clocks
time-keeping became a sacred practice of secrecy
Challenging to measure time since it is always moving
When did the written history of Japan begin
6th century when Chinese writing, culture, and institutions were brought in by Korean immigrants
What is Japanese science, technology, and medicine influence from
Chinese paradigms
How was learning structured
with Confucian classics
What were of peripheral importantce
scientific subjects
Describe Japanese architecture
influenced by Chinese techniques Wood Screens and sliding doors Tatami: rice straw flooring Verandas: roofed, open-air gallery port Genkan: traditional Japanese entryway relationship with nature
Describe the Japanese Traditional religion
Shinto
worship of ancestors and nature spirited and a belief in sacred power (kami) in both inanimate things
Kami are sacred spirits or phenomena that live everywhere
Humans are able to live by receiving blessing from nature
What is the oldest structure in Japan
Horyu-ji, a Buddhist temple in Ikaruga, Nara
Oldest wooden structure
How did people acquire careers
By passing down, they were hereditary
Describe America before Columbus
Scandinavian visit of N. America before 1400 to collect timber
Danish and English seafarers followed up information from Scandinavian sources in voyages to Labrador and Newfoundland
Three major civilizations: Mayan, Aztec, and Incas
Describe the Mayan Civilization
lasted for more than 2,000 years, heyday during Classic Period (300-900) Accurate astronomy developed writing system positional number system developed administration great monuments and temples elaborate water management systems
Describe Mayan Astronomy
Measured synodic month better than Ptolemy
Measured the length of the tropical year better than 16th century Spanish Astronomers
Developed accurate calendars
Determined the Zenithal passage days
Describe Mayan Agriculture
Used irrigation systems of the incas
no iron, no wheel, no pulleys
used Technology Complex (combination of technologies)
Arrival of Europeans in 1513 lead to great disaster of military conquest and epidemic disease like smallpox and measles
Before the Incas, show was irrigation developed
based on rivers with long canals fed from diversion dams
What is Tikal and describe water management
the ruin of an ancient city, located in a rainforest in Guatemala
had water-holding tanks
Water distribution is associated with power and control
How did Mayans store water
they built reservoirs out of rock quarries from large cut stones
they sealed off all cracks with plaster
reservoirs are placed on different tiers of elevation to use gravity to direct the water as they wished through the settlement
they used sand to filter the water (had to travel many miles for sand collection)
What is Joseph Needham’s argument
Independent invention is not an adequate explanation for similarities between terraced cultivation in Peru and China
Rope Suspension bridges in the Americas and China
Maya calendar and Chinese Calendar
Mulberry bark paper
What is the concept to step-by-step diffusion of techniques
Technological practices like paper making were transferred from one small island to the next
