楼兰古城的兴衰及其与环境变化的关系

楼兰古城是古丝绸之路上位于中亚的重要通道站，但后因历史上气候周期变化及平原湖泊河口三角洲淤积使河流自然改道的地理原因，在公元前开始至3世纪进入楼兰的河水逐渐减少，最终主河道变迁而使楼兰城南北河干涸，环境迅速恶化，导致楼兰消亡。

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE RISE AND DECLINE OF ANCIENT LOULAN TOWN AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES

Located in the central Asia, ancient Loullan Town was a place of strategic importance to the ancient SilkRoad. According to the historical records, it was flourishing during the period from the second century B. C. to the thirdcentury A. D. However, it was disrecorded suddenly 1400 years ago. Until 1900 it was discovered by a Swedish exploration party. The ruins of Loulan is situated on the west bank of Lop Nur Lake and the delta of the Tarim River (40°29’55’’N, 89°55’22"E), and occupies an area of 108 240 m2. Two main tributaries of the Tarim River passed by its northernand southern sides respectively and converged into Lop Nur Lake about 100 km eastward. Human civilization of the Loulan Town had been developed in the Stone Age, which was revealed by a lot of stone implements found in the ration, andthe discovery of the corpse of "Loulan Beauty" proved the continuity of economic development. During several centuriesaround the Christian era, Loulan had become a place of strategic importance on the Silk Road because its superior geographical position and natural conditions. The decline of ancient Loulan Town was caused by natural change of the rivercourses and rapid environmental deterioration.

THE KUYAK RIFT VALLEY, A CROSSCUTTER OF THE KUNLUN MOUNTAINS

The Kuyak Rift is located to the southeast of Minfeng (民丰) County, Xinjiang, and belongs to the western part of the Altun tectonic system. The well-developed section of the Rift about 300 km long and 10—20kin wide, starts from Lhazhulong in Xizang (Tibet) and ends in the southern margin of the Tarim Basin. In the northern part of the Rift stands over the accumulated terraces an abandoned castle called the 'Kuyak' pass served as the key to Xizang in ancient times. However,

罗布人奥尔得克——楼兰故城的发现者

占地千亩的一座公园式陵墓坐落在尉犁县城郊的胡杨林中,高大的墓碑,彩色的陵墓．红砖的围墙,起伏的沙丘,蓝色的湖泊以及被红柳、胡杨、芦苇染绿的大地,给这片万古荒原带来了生机。这是发现楼兰故城的传奇式人物——罗布人奥尔得克的陵墓。

神秘的罗布泊

罗布泊地区因境内有罗布泊大湖而得名。它地处欧亚大陆的中心部位、塔里木盆地的东部,是一个原始、神秘、干旱、奇热没有生命的无人区。只有松软的流沙,坚硬的盐壳,千姿百态的风蚀残丘,因断水而大面积死亡的芦苇和胡杨林。罗布泊地区在人类历史上曾有辉煌一页,它地处古丝绸中道之上,楼兰古国建于罗布泊西岸,古今中外享有盛名。然而楼兰古国初唐时期从历史上消失了,给人们留下了千古之谜。一个立国700年之久,始于石器时代的原始部落,渗进了大漠之中。它沉默了千余年之后,于19世纪、20世纪交接之际,突然再现风采,一时间中外探险家接踵而至,有人因此而名扬天下永载史册,有人为它而丧生……它之所以具有经久不衰的吸引力,很大程度上是因为这里曾存在过一个名叫"楼兰"的神秘古国。