Science and Civilisation in China
Science and Civilisation in China
£277.00
GBPThe fifth volume of 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. Covering from the Neolithic period to the present day it deals with the full range of Chinese mining from copper to mercury, arsenic to coal and a large number of other minerals and materials. The author draws extensively not only on written sources but also on archaeological remains, and observation of traditional techniques still in use. The interrelationship between Chinese mining and the social, economic and political conditions in which it took place is examined, and leads the author to conclude that these extraneous factors were probably more important in determining how mining was carried out than technological progress.
- The only history of Chinese mining in English
- Profusely illustrated with line drawings and photographs, as well as abundant tables and maps
- Makes many comparisons with mining traditions in other parts of the world
Reviews & endorsements
'Peter Golas … provides the necessary technical detail with very clear explanations and he makes great efforts to place the technical development in its full historical context … Peter Golas's book gives us a clear view of the available evidence and an opportunity to argue about these questions in a more informed manner than has every been possible before.' EASTM
Product details
February 1999Hardback
9780521580007
564 pages
255 × 198 × 41 mm
1.58kg
127 b/w illus. 15 maps 14 tables
Available
Table of Contents
- List of illustrations
- List of maps
- List of tables
- List of abbreviations
- Author's note
- 1. Introduction
- 2. An overview of mining in China
- 3. Sources
- 4. Deposits
- 5. The products of Chinese mining
- 6. Prospecting and exploration
- 7. Placer mining and surface mining
- 8. Underground mining
- 9. Ore dressing
- 10. The copper precipitation process
- 11. Labour, capital and mining technology
- 12. The state and mining technology
- 13. Conclusions
- 14. Bibliographies
- 15. General index
- 15. Table of chineses dynasties
- 16. Romanization convertion tables.
