Inventions, Technology,
Science, and Architecture
WHAT MAJOR INVENTIONS OCCURED DURING THE SONG DYNASTY?
During this dynasty, China was the most advanced. Many useful things were invented:
Porcelain- they made exquisite tea bowls made from porcelain.
Gunpowder- this was mainly used for fireworks until later years
Cannons- about 1127CE, the Songs found a use for gunpowder other than fireworks.
Multiple stage rockets- invented at the end of the Song dynasty
Printing- although they didn't invent it, government popularized it for printing manuals
Abacus- a hand powered calculator that can add, subtract, multiply, and divide
Twin Pagodas at Luohanyuan Temple
Porcelain
Chinease cannon
WHAT IMPORTANT BUILDINGS OR STRUCTURES WERE BUILT DURING THE SONG DYNASTY?
Liaodi Pagoda- This building is the tallest brick pagoda in the world, built in the 11th century during the Song Dynasty. The height of the pagoda made it useful as a watchtower which could be used to spot enemy movements.
Su Song's Clock- Su Song was a respected government official in 1020 CE. He suggested designing an accurate clock. It was 30 feet tall and little carved people stood in it's windows hitting bells to mark the hour.
Not many buildings were created during this dynasty because architects spent more time on decoration and detail like glazed tiles.