The Application And Evolution Of Irrigating Tools-waterwheel During The Historical Periods

The water wheel, also called rotary wheel, was the best and broadest irrigating tool in ancient China. With the long process of agriculture development, the kind had been innovating and improving, especially for cylinder wheel and dragon bone wheel. Either the further explication about evolution and mechanical characteristic from the technical history angle, or inquiries to the promotion to agricultural economy focusing on agricultural civilization, the irrigating implements research has been attracting many scholars'attention. As for the concrete region application of the water wheel, special investigation rarely appeared. This paper mainly focused on the creation, development, geographical distribution as well as various forming cause from the historical geography vision.The thesis is allotted to four parts. The first chapter, systematically verify the creation and origination of the rotary wheel, besides, the doubt about whether it is the predecessor to the dragon bone wheel included. The second and third chapter, also the main trunk parts, respectively probe into the characteristic and geographical distribution of dragon bone wheel and cylinder wheel. The last chapter, additionally delimit the invention and adaption of the junction cylinder, well wheel and drawing device that lie in the generalized scope of the water wheel.