Early Civilizations / Y2003.CSS.S01.G06-08.BB.L07.I02 02. Describe the enduring impact of early civilizations in India, China, Egypt, Greece and Rome after 1000 B.C. including: The development of concepts of government and citizenship Scientific and cultural advancements The spread of religions Slavery and systems of labor

The prevailing academic consensus is that gunpowder was discovered in the 9th century by Chinese alchemists searching for an elixir of immortality.[16] By the time the Song Dynasty treatise, Wujing Zongyao (武经总要), was written by Zeng Gongliang and Yang Weide in AD 1044, the various Chinese formulas for gunpowder held levels of nitrate in the range of 27% to 50%.[17] By the end of the 12th century, Chinese formulas of gunpowder had a level of nitrate capable of bursting through cast iron metal containers, in the form of the earliest hollow, gunpowder-filled grenade bombs.