Focusing on agriculture and water control, this project studies the interplay between technology and political processes in Song, Yuan, and Ming times. The project explores how the study of technology in a predominantly agrarian society could reformulate perspectives on Ming China as a premodern empire.
A chain-pump depicted in Wang Zhen's Nongshu (Book of agriculture), first published in Yuan-period China. Source: Wang Zhen 王禎, Nongshu 農書, Ming Jiajing jiu nian [1530] Shandong buzheng shisi keben 明嘉靖九年 [1530] 山東布政使司刻本 ed., Nongqi tupu 農器圖譜 [Illustrated register of farm implements], j. 13, 19a/b. Naikaku Bunko Collection (shelf mark 300–0073), National Archives of Japan, Digital Archive of Japan https://www.digital.archives.go.jp/img/4220600/.
AMOS: Phase 2
(2020-2024)