The fifth volume of the late Dr. Needham's immense undertaking covers the subjects of chemistry and chemical technology. This, the thirteenth part of the volume, is the first history of Chinese mining to appear in a Western language. Spanning from the Neolithic period to the present day, it deals with the full range of Chinese mining from copper to mercury, arsenic to coal. The author explores not only the written sources but also the archaeological remains, and observes the traditional techniques still in use. The interrelationship between Chinese mining and its social, economic and political implications is examined. Through these discoveries, the author concludes that these factors were probably more important in determining how mining was carried out than the technological progress itself.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"...very real achievement and contribution on producing this invaluable volume. It will be widely welcomed and used, particularly by those interested in mining history." American Historical Review
"[An] astonishing and enduring study...[Needham brings] depth of emotion and technical finesse to his task."
Jonathan Spence, New York Review of Books
"Perhaps the greatest single act of historical synthesis and intercultural communication ever attempted by one man."
Laurence Picken, Cambridge University
"[An] astonishing and enduring study...[Needham brings] depth of emotion and technical finesse to his task."
Jonathan Spence, New York Review of Books
"Perhaps the greatest single act of historical synthesis and intercultural communication ever attempted by one man."
Laurence Picken, Cambridge University
Book Description
This is the first history of Chinese mining to appear in a western language and covers all aspects of mining from the Neolithic period to the present day. The author draws extensively not only on written material but on his own observations of traditional techniques in use today. He includes many illustrations from traditional Chinese sources and from his own photographs taken at mining sites. The technology is placed in the context of the political, social and economic conditions and comparisons are made with other mining practices.
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Front Cover | Front Flap | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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First Sentence:
Whether in times past or more recently, few aspects of the history of technology have been so poorly understood as mining. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
vitriol waters, gall vitriol, pen tshao, timbering techniques, obtaining copper, pharmaceutical natural history, metamorphic deposits, copper process, drainage adit, ore dressing, native mines, traditional miners, inclined shafts, mining labour, irregular deposits, native copper, tin deposits, streak test, copper precipitation, cinnabar mines, vein deposits, sulphide ores, primary deposits, ooo tonnes, borehole drilling Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Hsia Hsiang, Warring States, Wang Ken-yuan, Chao Khuang-hua, Sung Ying-hsing, Liu Shih-chung, Chang Hung-chao, Mining Periods, Yang Yung-kuang, Hsia Nai, Sites Further, Yen Chung-phing, Yin Wei-chang, Chou Wei-chien, Kuo Cheng-i, Lung Tshun-ni, Wong Lin Ken, Northern Sung, Hsiung Chhuan-hsin, Yang Li-hsin, Cheng Te-khun, Hsu Ti-hsin, Donald Wagner, Wang Chung-lo, Yang Wen-heng New!
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Front Cover | Front Flap | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Whether in times past or more recently, few aspects of the history of technology have been so poorly understood as mining. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
vitriol waters, gall vitriol, pen tshao, timbering techniques, obtaining copper, pharmaceutical natural history, metamorphic deposits, copper process, drainage adit, ore dressing, native mines, traditional miners, inclined shafts, mining labour, irregular deposits, native copper, tin deposits, streak test, copper precipitation, cinnabar mines, vein deposits, sulphide ores, primary deposits, ooo tonnes, borehole drilling Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Hsia Hsiang, Warring States, Wang Ken-yuan, Chao Khuang-hua, Sung Ying-hsing, Liu Shih-chung, Chang Hung-chao, Mining Periods, Yang Yung-kuang, Hsia Nai, Sites Further, Yen Chung-phing, Yin Wei-chang, Chou Wei-chien, Kuo Cheng-i, Lung Tshun-ni, Wong Lin Ken, Northern Sung, Hsiung Chhuan-hsin, Yang Li-hsin, Cheng Te-khun, Hsu Ti-hsin, Donald Wagner, Wang Chung-lo, Yang Wen-heng New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Front Flap | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
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- De Re Metallica (Dover Earth Science) by Georgius Agricola on page 39, Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Science and Civilisation in China: Volume 4, Physics and Physical Technology; Part 1, Physics by Joseph Needham in Front Matter, and Back Matter
- History of the Former Han Dynasty by Pan Ku in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- The Face of China: As Seen by Photographers and Travelers 1860-1912 by L. Carrington Goodrich in Front Matter
- Rocks and Minerals by Alice Fitch Martin in Back Matter
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- Great Clarity: Daoism and Alchemy in Early Medieval China (Asian Religions and Cultures) by Fabrizio Pregadio on 17 pages
- Heritage of China: Contemporary Perspectives on Chinese Civilization by Paul S. Ropp on 11 pages
- A History of Engineering in Classical and Medieval Times by Donald Hill on 6 pages
- The Atlantis Blueprint: Unlocking the Ancient Mysteries of a Long-Lost Civilization by Colin Wilson on 4 pages
- Art and Cartography: Six Historical Essays (The Kenneth Nebenzahl, Jr., Lectures in the History of Cartography) by David Woodward on 4 pages
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