HIST4702 (2023-24) Digital History Project: 火攻挈要
Military Technologies: as Shown in 《火攻挈要》
Introduction
This part investigates the contents of 《火攻挈要》 and reveals the design philosophy of Adam Schall, as well as the development of military technology in Ming Dynasty. Three groups engaged in this research field and provided achievements from various perspectives: the video group created a historical documentary introducing the design and implementation of the recorded weapons; the 3D modelling group converted the drawings of various weapons and tools into 3D models for conspicuous visualization and illustration; while the text mining group focuses on the text of 《火攻挈要》, which committed to the ingredients of firearms, and presented by visualization. The following demonstrates the works conducted by the three groups.
Video Group: Documentary of Weapons in 《火攻挈要》
This video delves into the five weapons featured in 《火攻挈要》 , including niaoqiang (鳥槍), rocket, flame ejector, landmine, and cannon carriages. The video reveals their pivotal role in shaping the outcomes of battles. Through a captivating blend of war footage and animation, we vividly visualize the implementation of these weapons, enhancing viewers’ understanding and engagement.
3D Modelling Group：The Panorama of 《火攻挈要諸器圖》
This project converts the drawings of weapons and tools in《火攻挈要諸器圖》(Huo Gong Qie Yao Zhu Qi Tu) into 3D models in order to illustrate the military technology of the late Ming Dynasty. In accordance with Adam Schall’s drawings and further individual research, 35 different weapons and tools are found, categorized, and upgraded to 3D models, with a concise description introducing their materials, functions, and characteristics. Below shows a panorama including all the models made into an arsenal as an overview of this project.
Description:
The design is divided into seven areas: Government office area, hot weapon area, chariot area, tool area, manufacturing area, Cannon production area, and Cannon hoisting area.
The manufacturing area includes the copper furnace, which is used for melting copper. After coppering the materials of the cannon, they will be moved to the cannon production area and the cannon hoisting to produce the cannons.
Subsequently, the completed cannon will be sent to the Cannon Hoisting area, and the cannon will be moved to the Casting Cannon Atage or Chariot. At the front are all firearms, including cannons, chariots, and Frankish guns. Finally, the government office is an extra area created to make it more captivating and exciting. Please click here to view individual 3D models.
Text Mining Group: Investigation of Gunpowder Formula
Conducted on Voyant-Tools, the text mining group analyzes the word frequency of gunpowder formulas in Huo gong qie yao to categorize the gunpowder components and formulas and highlight their diverse practical functions. Please click here to learn more.