Science and Civilisation in China, Part 13, MiningCambridge University Press, 1999 M02 25 - 564 pages The 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. |
Contents
36a MINING | 1 |
2 Theoretical writings especially by alchemists and pharmacologists p | 21 |
3 Geographical and administrative writings p | 32 |
5 Agricola in China p | 39 |
e The products of Chinese mining p | 58 |
f Prospecting and exploration p | 203 |
g Placer and surface mining p | 238 |
h Underground mining p | 260 |
i Ore dressing p | 352 |
j The copper precipitation process p | 370 |
k Labour capital and mining technology p | 387 |
1 The State and mining technology p | 416 |
m Conclusion p | 429 |
BIBLIOGRAPHIES | 437 |
GENERAL INDEX | 490 |
Common terms and phrases
19th century adits Ancient Anon Barnard Beijing bronze cassiterite Chao Khuang-hua Chhen Chhi Chhing Chih chin Chinese mining Chou Chung-Kuo cinnabar coal mines colour copper mines deposits dynasty early Eberstein 1974 especially example excavations firesetting gold History Hollister-Short Honan Hoover Hsia Hsiang-jung hsien Hunan Hupeh industry iron Ju-chiang Khuang Kiangsi Ko-chiu Ku-Tai labour least Lu Pen-shan Lü Tai-ming mercury metal Metallica Metallurgy methods miners Ming mining in China native copper Pen Tshao Pen-shan & Wang placer placer deposits placer mining production pumps Richthofen rock shafts Shang Shansi Shih silver smelting suggests sulphide sulphur Sun & Sun Sung Szechwan techniques Tegengren Thang Thung Thung-lü shan timbering tin mines TKKW tonnes Torgasheff traditional underground vein vitriol waters Wade-Giles Wagner Wang Ken-yuan Warring States period washing windlass Yuan Yunnan Zhou Baoquan zinc