Overview

Shen Kua was a Chinese scientist, mathematician, and soldier in the eleventh century. He found success in many endeavors, but is perhaps best known for his work in the earth sciences, where he made many valuable contributions. Among these were the invention of the magnetic compass, remarkably accurate speculations about the origins of fossils, and essays covering many aspects of other geologic features. Much of his work was not known outside China, and would not be repeated anywhere else for over 700 years.

Background

Chinese civilization dates back thousands of years and is the source of the oldest recorded history on Earth. For much of human history, Chinese government, agriculture, science, and technology were equal or superior to that of the West. In many ways, whether a civilization makes scientific and technological advances depends...