Documentary rediscovers a Song Dynasty polymath

A legendary figure of the 11th century, Shen Kuo excelled across an astonishing range of disciplines — from redefining the calendar and formulating pioneering mathematical principles to recording the first known description of petroleum in Chinese history, remarkably within a poem.

Marking the 930th anniversary of his death, a three-episode documentary named after the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127) polymath recently aired on Zhejiang Television, earning praise from insiders and researchers.

According to scriptwriter Fang Yuan, asking history enthusiasts about Shen often yields a wide range of impressions.

Despite his scientific masterpiece, Meng Xi Bi Tan (Dream Pool Essays) — a 30-volume collection hailed as "ancient China's encyclopedia" — Shen's legacy is complex. Among the most debatable issues is the long-held suspicion that he played a role in framing his friend Su Shi, an act that had devastating consequences. Su, one of China's most famous literary giants, was exiled three times, trekking over 3,700 kilometers from the dynasty's capital to the remote Danzhou in Hainan province.

"We didn't want to gloss over these controversies. But through in-depth interviews with experts and cross-referencing multiple historical sources, we have demonstrated that Shen had no involvement in framing Su. He was completely wronged," Fang said at a recent seminar in Beijing.

Chen Hong, deputy head of the documentary academic committee of China Television Artists Association, remarked that the documentary fills an important gap in public history. "While Chinese documentaries have long emphasized emperors, generals, and poets, portrayals of scientific pioneers have remained relatively scarce," he added.