| Description |
1 online resource (streaming video file) (52 min. 3 sec.) ; 315455249 bytes |
| Summary |
In 1405, the Ming dynasty Emperor Zhu Di had a gigantic fleet of ships built and sent them out under the command of Admiral Zheng He into the unknown world beyond the China Sea. What was the goal of these journeys? What were the sailors duties? How big were the ships and how did they steer these massive juggernauts? Ultimately, what was the Armada's objective?Admiral Zheng He's fleet was larger and more powerful than all the fleets of Europe put together. The fleet sailed half way around the world, long before European ships set out to explore the oceans of the earth. China began one of the greatest naval adventures of all time, exploring the Pacific, the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea, even the east coast of Africa. It was a voyage fraught with difficulty and danger but it was also rich in discovery and full of surprises. Historical sources say that some of Zheng He's treasure ships were over 120 metres long and had 9 masts. If this is true, this would make them the biggest wooden ships of all time. To build such mammoth structures required a huge investment in man power and materials. After 2 years almost 60 ships were ready, the nucleus of a planned Armada of over 300 junks. Before the fleet set out, China's geographical knowledge was pooled. Merchants and traders went through their materials and scholars provided a comprehensive selection of sea charts. When the boats set sail, they took with them a whole team of experts - navigators and interpreters, astronomers and doctors, astrologers and geomancers to define the weather. Ge JianziDragons of the Sea explores a little known chapter in the history of global discoveries and provides amazing insights into China's cultural and technical achievements. (From Germany, in German, and Mandarin, English subtitles) (Documentary) |
| Event |
Broadcast 2010-04-16 at 14:30:00 |
| Notes |
Classification: G |
| Subject |
Archives -- Conservation and restoration.
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Archives -- Research.
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Discovery and exploration, European.
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Shipbuilding -- Design and construction.
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Voyages and travels.
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Zheng, He, 1371-1435.
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China.
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| Form |
Streaming video
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| Author |
Bingxi, Yang, contributor
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Chilvers, Simon, cast
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Guorong, Hua, contributor
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Jianxiong, Ge, contributor
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Jiguo, He, contributor
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Qian, Chen, director
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Yuanrui, Lin, contributor
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Yuanzhi, Kong, contributor
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Zirong, Chen, contributor
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Zongzhen, Luo, contributor
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