Han Dynasty Shipbuilding

During the Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE), Chinese shipbuilding advanced significantly, enabling longer sea voyages and trade. Han ships featured sturdy wooden hulls, multiple sails, and improved steering mechanisms, which increased stability and speed. They built large oceangoing ships, facilitating trade along the Silk Road and across the South China Sea. Their innovations included the use of compartmentalization for safety and design improvements for navigation. These developments contributed to China’s economic growth, cultural exchange, and exploration, establishing a foundation for maritime technology that influenced later Chinese and global shipbuilding practices.