陕西省明长城沿线烽火台建造形制与分布特征研究

Research on the Architectural Structure and Distribution Characteristics of Beacon Towers along the Great Wall of Ming Dynasty in Shaanxi Province

陕西省明长城沿途地貌类型多样,沿线烽火台共570座,其建造与分布是在地理环境和防御战略等自然和社会因素共同作用下的结果。本文以陕西省明长城沿线烽火台为研究对象,从微观视角按照附属设施的不同划分其建筑类型,从宏观视角分析烽火台建造与地形地貌、坡度坡向、河流水系、战争与防御等要素的关系,并借助Arc GIS和历史文献记载,利用烽燧线的概念阐释明代延绥镇军情传输方向和传递路线。经过分析,陕西省明长城烽传体系主要包括由东、西两路向中路的横向主线传递和由长城沿线向腹地的纵向支线传递两部分。通过横纵结合,实现了长城沿线东西及内外之间的多层联系。

The beacon tower is an important part of the Great Wall defense system,serving as a defensive facility independent of the wall and primarily responsible for information transmission.The Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty in Shaanxi Province passes through various types of terrain,mainly characterized by linear low mountainous areas in the east,loess hills and gullies in the central region,and sandy and grassy areas in the west.There are a total of 570 beacon towers along the wall,with 375 along the north line and 195 along the south lines.Their construction and distribution are the result of the combined influence of the geographical environment,defense strategy,and other natural and social factors.This article focuses on the beacon towers along the Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty in Shaanxi Province.It categorizes their architectural types based on different ancillary facilities and utilizes ArcGIS software and historical records to interpret the distribution characteristics and transmission routes of the beacon towers.Through the analysis,it is found that the beacon towers are classified into three construction material bused on construction material types:rammed earth,stone masonry,and brick masonry.Their architectural forms include stage body structures as well as various combinations with bases,enclosing walls,and trenches.The distribution of the beacon towers shows a denser presence in the east,followed by the central region,and a relatively scattered pattern in the west.This is mainly influenced by factors such as topography,slope,river systems,warfare frequency,and defense strategies in different regional environments.In terms of layout,the beacon towers are generally distributed on both sides of the Great Wall,roughly following the direction of the wall.Which exhibit various arrangements including continuous linear,centralized clustering,multi-level,and multiangle patterns.Beacon transmission primarily occurs along the main east-west line and the north-south secondary lines.The main line horizontally transmits along both sides of the Great Wall's north and south walls,facilitating communication between the eastern,central,and western routes,as well as between Town garrisons and Road garrisons.The secondary lines vertically transmit information between the north and south walls of the Great Wall and between various military castles and watchtowers along the Great Wall.By combining the main and secondary lines,in vertical and horizontal direction a networked military information transmission system is established along theMing Great Wall in Shaanxi Province.In comparison to previous literature,this paper attempts to use archaeological typology to analyze the architectural features of the beacon towers.It comprehensively analyzes the distribution characteristics of the beacon towers using ArcGIS software and explains the direction and transmission routes of military intelligence in the Yansui Garrison during the Ming Dynasty by using the concept of"The Beacon Line".This paper to some extent explores the design concepts of the beacon transmission system within the Ming Great Wall defense system,providing theoretical support for the construction of current Great Wall Theme Museums and The Great Wall Natinal Cultural Parks.