Ch+15+Technology_Demography


 * Technological Developements**

An agricultural surplus during the Tang and Song dynasties allowed people to pursue things other than farming. As a result, many technological advances were made during this time.


 * Porcelain**
 * although it already existed, during the Tang dynasty craftsmen discovered new teqniques that produced higher quality porcelain.
 * new porcelain was thinner, lighter and more adaptable.
 * when glazed it made attractive and functional utensils.
 * porcelain technology spread to other societies, but China remained the top manufacturer.


 * Metallurgy**
 * Again, new teqniques produced a better product.
 * Between the early nineth and early twelfth century iron production increased tn times earlier statistics.
 * Most iron was used for weaponry or agricultural tools.
 * Some of the metal was used in the construction of bridges and pagodas.
 * When metallurgical technology diffused to other societies, it caused problems for the Song dynasty. Nomadic peoples adapted the technology and used it to form their own weapons for use in campaigns against China.


 * Gunpowder**
 * Daoist alchemists discovered gunpowder while they were searching for an elixer that would prolong life.
 * Military leaders recognized the usefulness of the compound.
 * Soon weapons such as the "fire lance"(similar to modern day flame hrowers) and primitive bombs were being put to use.
 * Once again, new knowledge spread and by the late thirteenth century peoples of southwest Asia and Europe were experimenting with metal-barreled cannons.


 * Printing**
 * In the Tang era printing became common.
 * Earliest method was bock printing: Reverse image of a whole page was inked and then pressed onto a sheet of paper.
 * Later, more useful methods emerged:Instead of carving out a whole page, individual, reuseable dies were cut that could be aranged anywhere in a frame. Then the frame was pressed on paper.
 * Printing allowed for the prodution of many texts quickly and cheaply.

> > **Demography >
 * Naval Technology**
 * There was a large demand for exotic spices, but sailors could not risk traveling far away from shore to reach these items.
 * Luckily, in the song dynasty several important advancements were made.
 * Ships sailed that were fastened with iron nails, made waterproof with oils and driven by sails of bamboo or canvas.
 * Probably the most important innovation was the "south-pointing needle" or as we know it, the magnetic compass.




 * Year || Population** ||
 * 600 C.E. || 45 million ||
 * 800 C.E. || 50 million ||
 * 1127 || 100 million ||
 * 1200 || 115 million ||
 * Aprovved by:Brett Krumenacker**