Analyze Han Dynasty innovations and the origins of the Silk Road via Zhang Qian's expeditions 138-115 BCE — paper, seismoscope, wheelbarrow, magnetic-compass precursor, silk loom — and the Silk Road's role in the FIRST documented Eurasian world-system per the Han Shu's account of Da Qin (Rome)
Exercise
Difficulty 2
~3 min
hist.g6.s.ex_29
Short Answer
Prompt
Name 3 Han Dynasty innovations + their approximate dates.
How it's presented
mode
text
Answer criteria
type
rubric scored
rubric
3 of: paper c. 105 CE (Cai Lun); seismoscope 132 CE (Zhang Heng); wheelbarrow c. 1st century CE; silk loom + sericulture; magnetic-compass precursor
Hints
- Paper is one of the most world-historically consequential innovations.
- MG-4 Three Trade Networks Map shows the Silk Road westward transmission.
Misconceptions to watch
- Forgetting that paper enabled mass literacy
Used in lessons