model of Ancient Chinese plough

Model of Ancient Chinese plough

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Model of Ancient Chinese plough
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Model of Ancient Chinese plough (model)

This is a representative type of the implement in use prior to the Christian Era, some of which may still be in use in the less developed countries. The early farming tools were often constructed from a suitably shaped branch of a tree, probably fitted with an ox-horn. These ploughs are unable to turn a furrow slice, but stirred the soil in a manner resembling the modern cultivator tine.

Of interest in this style of ploughs are the mortised wooden beam and handle. In China, the ploughs were often pulled by women, although the larger examples drawn by buffalo.

Details

Category:
Agricultural Engineering
Object Number:
1926-820
Materials:
wood (unidentified), metal (unknown) and copper (alloy)
Measurements:
overall (as displayed): 105 mm x 220 mm x 75 mm, 0.026 kg
type:
farming, ploughs and agricultural equipment
credit:
Steinmetz, Mrs. B.M.; Steinmetz, Major A.S.B.