吐峪沟石窟的斩山崖面区段与遗址考古分期

The Rock-Cut Cliff Section of the Tuyoq Grottoes and Site Periodization

一、引言石窟研究首先要解决分期与年代问题[1],整体把握石窟寺遗址中不同建筑群组的营造次第和寺院发展阶段是进行其他专题研究的基础和前提。在进行石窟考古分期时,除注重与开窟活动相关的纪年题铭或文献记载、洞窟形制与造像内容的横向比对、造像所据经本的译出年代及历史背景等,斩山崖面的空间关系同样可以为石窟遗址考古分期提供重要线索。

Focusing on case studies of the independengt Buddhist temple complex in the middle of the western section and the rock-carved monastery in the northern area of the eastern section of the Tuyoq Grottoes,this study tries to archaeologically periodize grottoes from the perspective of rock-cut cliffs formed during the construction of cave temples.First,rock-cut cliff sections formed during different phases of the site are identified.Once certain cliff sections and carved grottoes can be confirmed as contemporary,the sequence of the construction of grottoes can then be confirmed through cliff stratigraphy.Lastly,it is possible to identify the forms,layout patterns,and diachronic changes of major characteristics within the cave temples.This study argues that the terraced courtyard in front of the grottoes in the middle of the western section went through six construction phases and can be divided into three periods,while six construction phases and four periods can be identified for the cave temple in the northern area of the eastern section.