Han Dynasty Inventions

     The Han dynasty invented many things. All inventions were advancements in warfare, government, agriculture, industry, art, medicine, and science (Ed101). When the Han dynasty had to go to war several thousands of men had to go to war. The Han started producing iron. The production of iron led to weapons and shields of better quality. Kites were also invented by the Hans. The kites were used to send messages from one part of the army to another(Ed101). Advancements in government happened after changes were made. The emperor now began to have government officials rule with him.

     This style of government is called Bureaucracy. Government officials were assigned to do different jobs and were chosen on ability and knowledge. Servants had to get evaluated every three years and would either get promoted to a higher placement or demoted to a lower placement (Ed101).

     The Hans also made advancements in farming to make it easier to do farming. The Hans created the chain pump helped carry water from irrigation systems up and onto the fields. Production of iron was able to help the Hans to create an iron plow. The Hans also made the wheelbarrow which was able to carry heavy loads from one place to another (Ed101).

     In industry, the Hans were able to make many advancements. Their two biggest industries were salt and silk. Those two industries were able to make many technological  advancements. Foot powered machines were able to make larger productions of silk. The Hans also used salt to preserve food so that it was able to not spoil as easily. The Hans were also able to mine salt using bamboo drills. Salt water was heated causing the water to evaporate only leaving the salt (Ed101).

     Art advancements were also made during the Han dynasty. Chinese created calligraphy to write on paper. Brush and ink was used to draw and write more things as paper. Silk used as paper but it was way too expensive so they created bamboo rolls. Paper was then invented and much more efficient to use and better to bind into books (Ed101).

     The Hans also made medicine to help heal wounds and cure sickness. The created acupuncture which is when you put needles that are put in specific parts of the body. This was used to help cure headaches and was used to cure quick illnesses. The Hans also created moxibustion which was a cone filled with sticks or dried leaves and set on fire to reduce pain and help with healing. The Hans were able to use pulse and heartbeat to determine illnesses and formed a great knowledge of the circulatory system. The Hans also discovered a wine that was used as an  anesthetic (Ed101).

     Advancements in science were also made by the Hans. They created a seismograph which helped determine where the center of an earthquake was located and they also created the first magnetic compass was able to detect the iron ore in the earth's magnetism (Ed101). Many of the Han dynasty's inventions we still use today without them, we would not be where we are with technology today.

The Han Dynasty Invents Paper 

by: Caroline O'Sullivan

      The people of the Han Dynasty have invented many different things. One of these inventions is paper. At first, materials lie turtle shells, animal bone, golden stone, bamboo slips, wood and cloth were used for paper (History of China). Paper was first invented in the western Han dynasty but was rough and thick. The paper had uneven texture because it was made from hemp fibers. However new paper was made so recording was easier. The second invention of paper had better quality and made many advances in Chinese civilization (China Culture).
     Cai Lun was said to be the one who invented paper in 105 A.D. This paper was inexpensive, light, durable, thin, and better for people to write on. Compared to the thick, rough, uneven paper made about one hundred years earlier, this new kind of paper was easier to use (China Culture). Since it was inexpensive, more thoughts were able to be written down and read. Ideas and inventions people had thought of were easily able to be passed from person to person. Paper also helped with advancements in literature and culture. More books, and important things like records were able to be produced and passed to the people (History of China).

This is a picture of Cai Lun who invented the paper in 105 A.D.
This picture can be found at http://www.history-of-china.com/han-dynasty/invention-of-paper.html



 

 Han dynasty Begins

By:Caroline O'Sullivan

 

     Liu Bang , a bandit and rebel leader, overthrows Xiang-Yu's army on what is known as the Chu-Han war. This started after the death of the emperor and having no one to take his place. Both Xiang-Yu and Liu bang wanted to be leader.War broke out and lasted from 206 B.C -202 B.C in the country of China . Fights, revolts, and attempts to restore order all happened during this war.  Many different battles like the Battle of the Wei in 203 B.C occured in the Chu- Han War as well. Finally, the war ended when Xiang-Yu commited suicide. Xiang-Yu's brother attempted to continue the fight, but soon surrendered, leaving Liu Bang to begin the Han dynasty which would last for 400 years.






 

 

Map of the Han Dynasty



This picture can be found at http://www.artsmia.org/art-of-asia/history/han-dynasty-map.cfm



The Han dynasty is located in modern day China Proper. This land was great for farming. It had fertile soil and was surrounded by many rivers to help water crops. These rivers were the Yellow, Wei, Yangtze, and Xi rivers. With good farming, the population was able to grow and was able to feed many people. This dynasty also had many useful borders to help protect from invaders. The Great Wall Of China was to the north. This helped protect the Han dynasty from invaders. The Pacific ocean is to the east and the Himalayas are to the southwest. There are two major cities located on this map. Chang'an and Lo Yang. Chang'an was located in what is modern day Xi'an. These cities were two major trading cities. They were also the largest cities of that time period which included size and population.