Development and Evolution of Papermaking in Ancient China based on the Uses and Forms of Paper

In the past,scholars have divided the history of Chinese papermaking into different stages based on the development of ancient papermaking technology,emphasizing the development and progress of papermaking in different historical periods but paying less attention to the changes in the form of paper.Here,the stages are defined based on changes in use and function rather than technological developments.When this approach is combined with the history of printing,books,calligraphy,and painting,the history of Chinese papermaking can be divided into the writing paper,writing and printing paper,printing paper,and calligraphy and painting paper periods.Different periods of paper have significant differences in texture,form,and performance owing to their different applications.This significant difference provides a reference for the identification of ancient papers and reveals the internal connection between the history of printing,books,calligraphy,painting,and papermaking.

Variation of the earth's rotation derived from timing records of solar eclipse in ancient China

In the study of variation of the earth’s rotation based on the records of some ancientastronomical events, the timing records of ancient astronomical events and phenomena, suchas solar and lunar eclises and lunar occultation, are important components of the data.The reliable records, especially those from the countries and regions with advanced an-cient astronomy and timing technology, contain valuable information on the variation

△T Derived From the Latest Textual Criticism of Timing Records of Lunar Eclipses in Ancient China

In abundant old observational records of lunar eclipses in ancient China, some with timing of lunar eclipse phase are significant to the study of secular variation and fluctuation of the Earth’s rotation.Among the over 700 observational records for about 400 lunar eclipses,133 observational times of eclipse phases about