Final answer:
The Tang and Song dynasties made numerous technological achievements, including advancements in military technology like gunpowder, the compass, and movable type printing. They developed the examination system for government officials, improved iron production, and saw the use of paper money.
Step-by-step explanation:
Technological Achievements of the Tang and Song Dynasties
The Tang and Song dynasties were remarkable periods in Chinese history known for significant technological advancements. The Tang Dynasty, existing from 618-907 CE, made strides in the arts and culture, while also seeing advancements in paper-making, woodblock printing, and the establishment of a system for government official examinations. The Song Dynasty, which followed from 960-1279 CE, introduced gunpowder, the compass, and movable type printing. Song engineers developed military applications for gunpowder, such as flamethrowers, early guns, and bombs. They also improved other areas of technology, exemplified by first issuing banknotes and innovations in the iron industry, which by 1100, had an output nearly double that of Britain 700 years later.
Aside from military advancements, the Song Dynasty was also prosperous in civil engineering and science. The creation of the first movable type press, the unique canal lock system, the astronomical clock tower, and catapulting trebuchets were groundbreaking. Furthermore, the Song era saw the promotion of education and Confucian ideals through the widespread printing of texts, which supported the rise of a more educated and mobile society.
The trade and cultural exchange during the Tang Dynasty led to a cosmopolitan milieu that embraced foreign influences. Likewise, the Song Dynasty's industrial activity, highlighted by significant iron production and the use of water-powered machinery, was indicative of an early form of industrial revolution. Both dynasties contributed greatly to the development of Chinese civilization and the world at large.