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BLOCK PRINTING
An Ancient Chinese Invention
SAMPLE PROJECT
What is block printing?
• Block printing is text
that is written on thin
paper. It is then glued
face down on a
wooden plate.
• Characters (symbols)
are carved out of a
wooden block printing
plate. The plate is
then used to print text.
Sample of a Chinese Wood Block
VARIOUS EXAMPLES OF
BLOCK PRINTING
When was block printing first
invented?
• Block printing was
first developed during
the Tang Dynasty (618
CE-907 CE)
• This map shows the
area of China that was
part of the Tang
Dynasty.
Interesting Facts
• The earliest example
of a book made using
block printing was
The Diamond Sutra
(868 CE).
• Block printing was
first used to print
Buddist scriptures.
IMPORTANCE OF BLOCK
PRINTING (Essential Question 1)
• Government could distribute important
documents.
• A new class of scholar-officials came about.
• Knowledge of written text gave power and
higher ranking to individuals who could
read.
• Printing brought about examination to test
knowledge.
WHERE WOULD WE BE
WITHOUT BLOCK
PRINTING?
Block printing should be included in the museum
because it was an important contribution to
education. Where would any society be today
without reading and books? Block printing made
books and the sharing of knowledge possible in
ancient China which led to many changes in China
and the rest of the world. It is imperative that this
piece of history be included in the museum
(essential question 2).
Bibliography
“Four Great Inventions of Ancient China Printing." China Culture. Ministry of
Culture, P. R. China. 29 July 2009
<http://www.ChinaCulture.org>.