Science and Civilisation in China, Part 13, Mining

ISBN-13: 9780521580007 / Angielski / Twarda / 2000 / 564 str.

Peter Golas; C. Cullen; Joseph Needham

Opis

The fifth volume of the late 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. Spanning from the Neolithic period to the present day, it deals with the full range of Chinese mining from copper to mercury, arsenic to coal. The author explores not only the written sources but also the archaeological remains, and observes the traditional techniques still in use. The interrelationship between Chinese mining and its social, economic and political implications is examined. Through these discoveries, the author concludes that these factors were probably more important in determining how mining was carried out than the technological progress itself.

Recenzje

'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

Spis treści

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.