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CHAPTER 7 WHAT THE ANCIENT KNEW: THE CHINESE INTRO-VIDEO
1. Abacus 2. Acupuncture
3. Chess
4. decimal mathematics
5. embroidery
6. india ink
7. horse collar or trace
8. lacquerware
9. matches
10. rotary winnowing fan
11. Silk
12. Umbrella
13. wheelbarrow
1. How did the ancient Chinese gather knowledge? What did they hope to understand and
control? What was the role of the alchemist in ancient China?
2. How did the astronomer and the astrologer work together for the benefit of the Chinese
Emperor? Why was this collaboration important? What notable astronomical discovery
was made in A.D. 1054 as a result? (the supernova that formed the Crab Nebula)
3. How is the production of porcelain linked to the mass production of farm equipment in
ancient China? How would this farming innovation improve the quality of life in China?
4. How did weaponry, linguistics, and geography create and maintain an effective barrier
between ancient China and the outside world? In your opinion, how did this isolation
benefit the ancient Chinese? How might it have been a disadvantage?
5. What inventions and technologies did the ancient Chinese develop?
6. What is the origin of the invention or technological advance?
7. Of the innovations presented, which dynasty seemed to foster the largest number?
8. How did the art of alchemy lead to the invention of gunpowder? What power were the
ancient Chinese attempting to harness?
9. How did the ancient Chinese belief that the stars held the secrets of their destinies lead
to the invention of the Equatorial Armillary?
10. What invention was designed to track the movement of the sun, moon, and stars as well
as the time of day?
11. How did the ancient Chinese use the earliest form of paper? What further innovations
eventually revolutionized the intellectual world?
12. What did the ancient Chinese produce by combining earth, water, and fire? What
elements were required to produce cast iron? Steel?
13. How did the ancient Chinese first harness the power of the wind? How is harnessing the
wind linked to maritime innovations such as the magnetic compass?
14. What is the connection between the ancient Chinese belief in a life-force called Chi and
the invention of a seismoscope?
15. The ancient Chinese were responsible for many innovations in addition to the inventions
and technological advances presented in the program. Have students work in small
groups to conduct research on the following items.
16. alchemy
Definition: Predecessor of chemistry: an early, unscientific form of chemistry that sought
to change base metals into gold and discover a life-prolonging elixir, a universal cure for
disease, and a universal solvent
Context: The history of gunpowder is linked to that of alchemy and begins with a
Chinese alchemist’s recipe for "fire drug."
17. armillary sphere
Definition: An ancient astronomical machine composed of an assemblage of rings, all
circles of the same sphere, designed to represent the positions of the important circles of
the celestial sphere
Context: The Chinese built the first armillary sphere around the first century A.D.
18. astrology
Definition: The study of the positions of the moon, the sun, and other celestial bodies in
the belief that their motions affect human beings
Context: The Chinese used astrology and astronomy to help the Emperor predict
heavenly events and avoid earthly disasters.
19. bellows
Definition: A mechanical device that blows air onto a fire to make it burn more fiercely
Context: To feed their blast furnaces with a steady, regulated flow of air, the Chinese
developed double piston bellows.
20. Chi
Definition: The circulating life energy that in Chinese philosophy is thought to be
inherent in all things
Context: The Chinese believed that when Chi was in balance, this brought health and
peace.
21. Cosmic Engine
Definition: A sophisticated mechanical, astronomical clock developed by the Chinese
inventor Su Song in 1092
Context: The Cosmic Engine was made of bronze, powered by water, and housed in a
tower over 35 feet high.
22. crossbow
Definition: A medieval weapon, or its modern sports successor, consisting of a bow
attached crosswise to a stock with a cranking mechanism and a trigger
Context: The crossbow remained the most effective weapon until the invention of the
firearm.
Assessment Rubric
Use the following three-point rubric to evaluate students' work during this lesson.
• 3 points: Students demonstrated a thorough awareness of ancient Chinese inventions
and technology and their lasting global influence; produced a complete fact sheet
that included all of the requested information; produced a complete and accurate
time line; produced a thoughtful, well-written essay that demonstrated clear
understanding of the topic.
• 2 points: Students demonstrated awareness of ancient Chinese inventions and
technology and their lasting global influence; produced an adequate fact sheet that
included most of the requested information; produced a satisfactory, generally
accurate time line; produced an acceptable essay that demonstrated adequate
understanding of the topic.
• 1 point: Students did not demonstrate awareness of ancient Chinese inventions and
technology and their lasting global influence; produced an incomplete fact sheet;
produced an unsatisfactory time line; produced an unacceptable essay that
demonstrated poor understanding of the topic.