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The history of the compass started more than 2000 years ago during the Han dynasty (202 BC – 220 AD). The first compasses were made of lodestone, a naturally magnetized stone of iron, in Han dynasty China. [1] [2] It was called the "South Pointing Fish" and was used for land navigation by the mid-11th century during the Song dynasty (960 ...
A lodestone compass was used in China during the Han dynasty between the 2nd century BC and 1st century AD, where it was called the "south-governor" (sīnán 司南). [14] The earliest reference to a magnetic device used for navigation is in a Song dynasty book dated to 1040–1044, where there is a description of an iron "south-pointing fish ...
Model of a lodestone compass from Han dynasty. Some claims state that the first compasses in ancient Han dynasty China were made of lodestone, a naturally magnetized ore of iron. [2] [16] The earliest mention of a needle's attraction appears in a work composed between 20 and 100 AD, the Lunheng (Balanced Inquiries): "A lodestone attracts a needle."
This is an accepted version of this page This is the latest accepted revision, reviewed on 20 February 2025. Imperial dynasty in China (202 BC – 220 AD) "Eastern Han" and "House of Liu" redirect here. For the Five Dynasties-era kingdom, see Northern Han. For other uses, see House of Liu (disambiguation). Han 漢 202 BC – 9 AD; 25–220 AD (9–23 AD: Xin) The Western Han dynasty in 2 AD ...
The Chinese astronomer Geng Shouchang of the Han dynasty (202 BC – 220 AD) invented it separately in China in 52 BC, and the Han dynasty polymath Zhang Heng (78–139 AD) was the first to apply motive power using a set of complex gears rotated by a waterwheel which was powered by the constant pressure head of an inflow clepsydra clock, the ...
Han dynasty grey pottery—its color derived from the clay that was used—was superior to earlier Chinese grey pottery due to the Han people's use of larger kiln chambers, longer firing tunnels, and improved chimney designs. [15] Kilns of the Han dynasty making grey pottery were able to reach firing temperatures above 1,000 °C (1,830 °F). [15]
A Han dynasty (202 BC–220 AD) ladle-and-basin lodestone south-pointing compass, used by ancient Chinese geomancers, but not for navigation. However, it was not until the time of Shen Kuo that the earliest magnetic compasses would be used for navigation.
The Han dynasty ruled in an era of Chinese cultural consolidation, political experimentation, relative economic prosperity and maturity, and great technological advances. There was unprecedented territorial expansion and exploration initiated by struggles with non-Chinese peoples, especially the nomadic Xiongnu of the Eurasian Steppe.