The four great inventions in ancient China -- compass, gunpowder, papermaking, and printing—have been well known in China and all over the world. But ever imagine these four inventions can not fully represent the highest level in ancient China’s science and technology?

Well, just come to the ongoing exhibition of “Miracle of Nature's Engineering-Ancient Chinese Invention Artifacts” to find the answer.

Jointly sponsored by the State Administration of Cultural Heritage and the China Association for Science and Technology, the exhibition of “Miracle of Nature's Engineering-Ancient Chinese Invention Artifacts” is held at the newly constructed China Science and Technology Museum located near the National Stadium, also known as the Bird’s Nest. It will last from July 28 to September 20.

Displaying the wisdom and creativity of the nation, 271 cultural relics from 77 museums around the country are presented in 4 parts, showing the skills of silk making, casting bronze, paper making and printing, and china making. About half of the exhibits are among the national-level cultural relics. These cultural relics and ancient inventions successfully demonstrate the creativity of the ancient Chinese and their spirit of innovation.

The exhibition aims to promote the glory of ancient China’s science and technology, the sophistication of the Chinese culture, as well as its lasting impact on the development of human society. The exhibition is a result of joint efforts from the Beijing Olympic Organization Committee and the Ministry of Culture，as well as receiving generous support from the central government. This is the only large-scale exhibition of cultural relics inside the Olympic core area, making it one of the most important cultural events during the Games.

The exhibition is free and visitors can book tickets on ph.# 010-62016374.

About the Four Great Inventions

The Four Great Inventions were first raised by the British Philosopher Francis Bacon. He thought the Compass, Powder and Printing changed the world completely. And the sinologists Edkins added Paper making.

Francis Bacon was a famous politician and philosopher, not a scientist nor an archaeologist. His speech stood for his own opinion. And the three inventions he raised were not the three inventions in China, but in the west. Edkins was a sinologist. The four inventions he pointed out just aimed at the Japanese.

Once the traditional top four inventions were proposed, there were scholars bringing new viewpoints forward. Dr. Joseph Needham (1900-1995), world famous historian on science and technology, ever enumerated 26 Chinese skills introduced to the western. He thought Chinese important invention techniques were far more than the four top inventions.

In this ongoing exhibition, silk, bronze, papermaking and printing, and china are redefined as the new four inventions of ancient China, and the related cultural relics are displayed. Silk appeared in Neolithic times and is one of the most important inventions from ancient China. It was the basis of paper making. Papermaking and printing are linked together. Bronze is equally important as its appearance marked the beginning of a new age in history.

About the “Compass Project”

The ongoing exhibition is part of the “Compass Project,” a key program of scientific research listed into "Cultural Development Planning Outline during National 'Eleventh Five-Year Plan' Period."

Compass Project aims at packing up and studying the value of the ancient inventions by using modern technology. The main purpose is showing the cultural relics and the wisdom and creativity of China.