How was ice made in ancient times?
In modern society, ice making technology has been very mature, and refrigerators and ice machines have made our lives more convenient. However, in ancient times, without the support of modern technology, how did people make ice? This article will reveal to you the ancient wisdom and methods of making ice.
1. Historical background of ancient ice making
The history of ancient ice making dates back thousands of years. As early as the Shang and Zhou dynasties, ancient Chinese people had already begun to experiment with ice making and ice storage. According to the "Book of Rites of Zhou" records, the Zhou Dynasty had the position of "Ling Ren", who was responsible for the management of ice harvesting in winter and ice use in summer. In the Tang Dynasty, ice-making technology developed further, and even specialized ice storage facilities such as "ice cellars" appeared.
2. The main methods of making ice in ancient times
Ice making in ancient times mainly relied on natural conditions and artificial intelligence. Here are a few common ancient methods of making ice:
| method | Description | Applicable areas |
|---|---|---|
| Ice harvesting in winter | Natural ice is collected from lakes or rivers in winter and stored in ice cellars for summer use. | cold northern regions |
| saltpeter ice | Using the principle that saltpeter (potassium nitrate) absorbs heat when dissolved in water, the water is cooled into ice. | warm southern regions |
| evaporative cooling method | It removes heat by evaporating water, lowering the temperature and causing the water to freeze. | arid areas |
3. Ancient Ice Storage Technology
Making ice is only the first step, how to store ice is also a science. Ancient people invented "ice cellars" to store ice. Ice cellars are usually built underground or semi-underground, using the insulation properties of soil to slow down the melting of ice. In addition, materials such as straw and sawdust will be used to further insulate the interior of the ice cellar.
| ice storage facility | Features | historical records |
|---|---|---|
| Ice cellar | Underground or semi-underground structure with good thermal insulation performance. | It is recorded in "The Rites of Zhou" |
| Bingjing | Deep well structure uses underground water to maintain low temperature. | Mentioned in Tang Dynasty documents |
4. The uses of ancient ice
Ice cubes in ancient times were not only used to cool down in the summer heat, but also had many other uses. Here are the main uses of ice in ancient times:
| Purpose | Description |
|---|---|
| Cool down | In summer, it is used to cool down and make cold drinks. |
| food preservation | Used to preserve perishable foods such as meat and fruits. |
| medical use | Used in medical scenarios such as reducing fever and stopping bleeding. |
| sacrificial ceremony | Used in sacrificial activities to keep the offerings fresh. |
5. Cultural influence of ancient ice making
Ancient ice-making technology is not only a practical technology, but also deeply influenced ancient culture. For example, Du Fu, a poet of the Tang Dynasty, wrote in "A Visit to Li Gong in Summer": "The young master mixes ice water, and the beautiful woman snows lotus root silk." It depicts the scene of ancient nobles using ice to cool down. In addition, ice sculpture art has also developed in ancient times, especially in the northern region, where ice lanterns and ice sculptures in winter have become a unique cultural phenomenon.
6. Modern inspiration from ancient ice making
Although ancient ice-making technology is simple, it reflects the ancients' deep understanding and clever utilization of the laws of nature. Although modern technology is advanced, the ancient wisdom of ice making is still worth learning. For example, the "passive cooling" technology in modern buildings draws on the insulation principles of ancient ice cellars.
In summary, ancient ice-making technology is the crystallization of the wisdom of ancient people. It not only solved the problem of cooling in summer, but also enriched ancient cultural life. By understanding the ancient methods and uses of ice, we can better appreciate the wisdom of the ancients and provide inspiration for modern life.
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