汉代骆驼的输入及其影响

Camel's Import and Its Influence in Han Dynasty

骆驼是古代交通和运输的重要工具,可用作骑乘、驮运、拉车、耕地等。汉代随着丝绸之路的开辟,通过战争、入贡和商业贸易,北方草原民族和西域民族的骆驼源源不断地传入中原地区。在西北地区很早就有以骆驼殉葬的习俗。骆驼对沙漠环境有特殊的适应能力,历史上著名的丝绸之路途经广大沙漠地区,在现代化的交通工具产生之前,骆驼是古代丝绸之路上最重要的交通运载工具。骆驼异于中原牲畜的形象以及其耐劳性格受到汉人的喜爱,汉朝出现了更多地以骆驼为题材的造型艺术。

The camel was an important tool for traffic and transportation in ancient times, which could be used for riding, carrying goods, pulling vehicles, and ploughing farmland. In Han Dynasty, with the opening of the Silk Road, the camels of northern nomadic nationalities and ethnic minorities in the west region were continuously introduced to the central region of China through wars, tributes and trades. In the northwest region, the custom of burying the camel as sacrifice could be dated back to very early time. Camel had the special ability to adapt to the desert environment. Hence it became the most important means of transport in the famous Silk Road passing through the vast desert region before the modern traffic tools were invented. The camel＇s different image as well as its endurance were loved by Chinese people, therefore more camels appeared as the theme of the plastic arts in the Han Dynasty.