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War and Demand for Technology: Archaeological Evidence from Early China

In: Quantitative History of China

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  • Zhiwu Chen

    (The University of Hong Kong)

  • Senhao Hu

    (The University of Hong Kong)

  • Zhan Lin

    (Renmin University of China)

Abstract

Using archaeological data on excavated bronze and iron grave goods dated between 1700 BCE and 220 CE, this chapter provides micro-level evidence supporting the claim that higher frequencies of war stimulated demand for technological innovations. Specifically, regions that experienced more wars during early historical China adopted bronze earlier and had significantly higher ratios of military to all bronze grave goods; that is, these regions applied bronze, the new technology of the time, more heavily for the battlefield. In contrast, war experience had no effect on the extent of bronze and iron applications in farming. These findings are robust to the inclusion of various geographic, climatic, and productivity controls.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhiwu Chen & Senhao Hu & Zhan Lin, 2026. "War and Demand for Technology: Archaeological Evidence from Early China," Studies in Economic History, in: Zhiwu Chen & Cameron Campbell & Debin Ma (ed.), Quantitative History of China, chapter 0, pages 43-61, Springer.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:stechp:978-981-96-8272-0_3
    DOI: 10.1007/978-981-96-8272-0_3
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