祖冲之设计制造的几种机械及其复原问题

祖冲之根据前人对木牛流马、指南车的描述 ,重新设计了指南车和“木牛流马” ,这是机械的再发明。他可能改进了旧式的水碓、水磨 ,建造了千里船。功能相同的装置往往有不同的机构设计。关于祖冲之制造的几种机械 ,没有留下任何具体的可靠的记载。在缺乏基本技术记载的情况下 ,后人提出的不同设计都是难以被证实的推测 ,只是接近当时技术条件的设计较为可信。但是 ,这并不损害祖冲之在科技史上的地位

Machines constructed by Zu Chongzhi and restoration of them

Based on the forefather's account of Wooden Ox and Gliding Horse, South-pointing Carriage, Zu Chongzhi (429-500 A.D.) reconstructed them, and probably improved the hydraulic trip-hammer worked by a water-wheel, the water-mill, and constructed Qianli ship. His reconstructions may be regarded as new inventions. A machine with certain function generally has different mechanisms. Because no reliable and detailed account of Zu's constructions handed down from ancient time, any restorations made by modern people are only conjectures which are difficult to prove. Those constructions that are close to technical conditions of the day are more reliable than other designs. This situation does not impair Zu's position in the history of science and technology.