中国境内亚洲象分布变迁研究中的史料特点与解读——兼与赵志强博士商榷

The Characteristics and Interpretation of Historical Data in the Study of the Distribution and Changes of Asian Elephants in China:Discussion With Dr.Zhao Zhiqiang

古代史料中关于亚洲象的记载内容真伪混杂、真实性与虚妄性并存,在解读此类史料时,依据史料特点进行多角度的考辨是必要的,如果概因史料的虚妄性而否定其合理成分则难免矫枉过正。结合涉及亚洲象之史料的时代背景与特点,通过对相关史料的考辨与解读,认为论者所提出的秦汉以来我国野生亚洲象的分布区域大致在南岭以南,以及亚洲象在岭南与东南亚之间季节性往来迁徙的观点并不能成立。秦汉至唐末宋初,亚洲象在长江流域一直有分布,只是其种群数量与分布区域均呈减缩趋势,而长江流域与岭南地区的亚洲象均为土产,并非由境外季节性迁来。

The records of Asian elephants in ancient historical materials are mixed with truth and fal sity,so it is necessary to analyze them from multiple angles according to their characteristics when we interpret such historical materials.Based on the historical background and characteristics of the Asian elephants,and through the analysis and interpretation of the relevant historical materials,the author thinks that the wild Asian elephants in China have been distributed in the south of Nanling since the Qin and Han dynasties,and their seasonal migration between the south of Lingnan and southeast Asia is not valid.From the Qin and Han dynasties to the late Tang and early Song dynasties,Asian elephants have been distributed in the Yangtze river basin;but their population numbers and distribution areas have been decreasing.The Asian elephants in the Yangtze river basin and the Ling nan region are native and do not migrate seasonally from abroad.