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BEIJING, July 14 (Xinhua) -- Ancient Chinese civilization not only invented papermaking and the compass, but also the decimal system, rockets and variolation, China's top science academy said Thursday.
Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) on Thursday published a list of 88 major scientific and technological achievements in ancient China, which are separated into three categories: engineering, scientific findings and technology.
Pinhole imaging and linear equations are among major scientific findings; rice and wheat cultivation, the crossbow and stirrup are listed under technological achievements, with the Dujiangyan irrigation system and the Great Wall among major engineering feats.
Zhang Baichun, head of the Institute for the History of Natural Sciences at the CAS, said the selection criteria focused on originality, and the significance to world civilization.
Foreign experts were invited to share their opinions, Zhang added.
Ancient Chinese civilization made great achievements in science and technology, and is famous for the "Four Great Inventions": papermaking, gunpowder, the compass and printing.
The book is published by China Science and Technology Publishing House.
