The Han DynastyThe Han Dynasty

By Kinza Parker By Kinza Parker

Introduction- What is Introduction- What is Important?Important?

What is important about the Han dynasty? How did What is important about the Han dynasty? How did it contribute to China? Well, today we’re talking it contribute to China? Well, today we’re talking about 3 important categories and their topics:about 3 important categories and their topics:

Scientific Achievements; astronomy, Scientific Achievements; astronomy, seismograph/compassseismograph/compass

Industries; salt, silkIndustries; salt, silk Medicine; moxibustion/acupuncture, anestheticMedicine; moxibustion/acupuncture, anesthetic

Read this, and soon you will know how the Han Read this, and soon you will know how the Han contributed to the whole of China!contributed to the whole of China!

Chinese astronomers recorded the appearance of Chinese astronomers recorded the appearance of comets, or “broom stars” as they called them. They comets, or “broom stars” as they called them. They

discovered that the moon reflects the sun’s light, and discovered that the moon reflects the sun’s light, and solar eclipses happen when the moon blocks the sun.solar eclipses happen when the moon blocks the sun.

During this period , the Chinese also had invented During this period , the Chinese also had invented the seismograph and the compass. A seismograph the seismograph and the compass. A seismograph detects earthquakes, enabling the Han to detect detects earthquakes, enabling the Han to detect

earthquakes up to several hundred miles away. The earthquakes up to several hundred miles away. The Han also discovered that when a lodestone is carved Han also discovered that when a lodestone is carved

in the shape of a spoon it makes a magnetic compass. in the shape of a spoon it makes a magnetic compass. This is important for many building projects.This is important for many building projects.

Internet sourcesInternet sourcesthe compass was used for geomancy before the compass was used for geomancy before

navigationnavigationThe seismograph was nicknamed The seismograph was nicknamed toads frolicking toads frolicking

with dragonswith dragons..

Scientific achievementsScientific achievements

IndustriesIndustries

One of the most important industries was the silk One of the most important industries was the silk industry. Silk was a very important trade item. A industry. Silk was a very important trade item. A foot-powered machine was made so you could foot-powered machine was made so you could

easily weave silk.easily weave silk. Another Important industry was the salt industry. Another Important industry was the salt industry. People only used to know how to get salt from the People only used to know how to get salt from the sea, but during the Han dynasty people learned sea, but during the Han dynasty people learned

to mine salt from the ground.to mine salt from the ground.Internet sourcesInternet sources

Silk comes from the cocoon of a silk worm (which Silk comes from the cocoon of a silk worm (which is really a caterpillar).is really a caterpillar).

BrineBrine was drawn from the ground, and cooked till was drawn from the ground, and cooked till the water evaporated and only salt was left.the water evaporated and only salt was left.

MedicineMedicine

The Chinese believe that illness comes when the yin The Chinese believe that illness comes when the yin and yang in the body are out of balance. One and yang in the body are out of balance. One

technique to fix this is acupuncture, which is for technique to fix this is acupuncture, which is for sicknesses that come quickly (ie. Head aches). One sicknesses that come quickly (ie. Head aches). One technique for long term sicknesses (ie. Arthritis) is technique for long term sicknesses (ie. Arthritis) is

moxibustion.moxibustion.

Also, the Han discovered a type of wine that acts as Also, the Han discovered a type of wine that acts as an anesthetic. Anesthetic is something that takes an anesthetic. Anesthetic is something that takes

away the feeling of pain.away the feeling of pain.

Internet sourcesInternet sources Physicians feltPhysicians felt for the nature of the illness, not the for the nature of the illness, not the

strength of the blood.strength of the blood. Colors on the skin told the nature and progression Colors on the skin told the nature and progression

of the illness.of the illness.

Congratulations Congratulations

And now you know, the Han dynasty And now you know, the Han dynasty is important because of its inventions is important because of its inventions to improve the daily life of ancient to improve the daily life of ancient China!China!