Home > Exchanges Between China and South Africa > Culture Four
Great Inventions of Ancient China  Four Great Inventions of
Ancient China  China held the world's leading position in many
fields in the study of nature, from the 1st century before
Christ to the 15th century, with the four great inventions
having the greatest global significance. Papermaking, printing,
gunpowder and the compass - the four great inventions of ancient
China-are significant contributions of the Chinese nation to
world civilization.  Four Great Inventions of Ancient China -
Paper China was the first nation to invent paper. Before its
invention, words were written on various natural materials by
ancient peoples-on grass stalks by the Egyptians, on earthen
plates by the Mesopotamians, on tree leaves by the Indians, on
sheepskin by the Europeans and strangest of all, even inscribed
on bamboo or wooden strips, tortoise shells or shoulder blades
of an ox by the early Chinese. Later, inspired by the process of
silk reeling, the people in a