The history of science and technology in China is both long and rich with many

contributions to science and technology. In antiquity, independently of Greek

philosophers and other civilizations, ancient Chinese philosophers made significant
advances in science, technology, mathematics, and astronomy. The first recorded
observations of comets, solar eclipses, and supernovae were made in China.
Traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture and herbal medicine were also
practiced.

Among the earliest inventions were the abacus, the "shadow clock," and the first
flying machines such as kites and Kongming lanterns. The four Great Inventions of
ancient China: the compass, gunpowder, papermaking, and printing, were among
the most important technological advances, only known in Europe by the end of
the Middle Ages. The Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 906) in particular, was a time of
great innovation. A good deal of exchange occurred between Western and Chinese
discoveries up to the Qing Dynasty.

The Jesuit China missions of the 16th and 17th centuries introduced Western
science and astronomy, then undergoing its own revolution, to China, and
knowledge of Chinese technology was brought to Europe. Much of the early
Western work in the history of science in China was done by Joseph Needham.
Ancient China
Chinese currency and economy was very important to Chinese people
and they were always changing.
The Ancient Chinese people used lots of different types of money. First
they had shells as their money, then, after the Shang Dynasty took over,
they changed it to knife money. When the Shang Dynasty ended, the
money was changed to coins, then, eventually they changed it to paper
money."China was always changing the way their economy worked".
The silk road was also very important to China. It sold food, spices,
gold, silver and other goods. The silk road was over 4,000 miles long.
There were no traders that thought they could travel the whole road so
they would just stop in other places and trade there instead.