The causes of the disappearance of the ancient town of Loulan in Xinjiang, China have been generally agreed to derive from two factors: human activities and natural factors (environmental variations). In this paper, t...The causes of the disappearance of the ancient town of Loulan in Xinjiang, China have been generally agreed to derive from two factors: human activities and natural factors (environmental variations). In this paper, the Muzart Glacier was selected as an example, and found that the length of the glacier has been gradually decreasing and the snow line has been retreating to a higher altitude, both results contributing to a decrease in river flow below the Muzart Glacier. From the distribution of moraines in the Tianshan Mountains and adjacent areas in different periods, the paper speculates that there have been four minor glacial periods since the Quaternary. Although the durations and scales of the four minor glacial periods were different, they all indirectly influenced the formation and disappearance of the Lop Nur Lake. The events of the fourth minor glacial period are the important impact factors in the existence and disappearance of Loulan. Whether the disappearance of Loulan can be related to the events of the three previous minor glacial periods needs further investigation.展开更多
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...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.展开更多
TWO thousand years ago, a kingdom named Loulan suddenly occurred in major Chinese and Western historical documents. Then, just as abruptly, in the middle of the fifth century, it disappeared. When Western adventurers ...TWO thousand years ago, a kingdom named Loulan suddenly occurred in major Chinese and Western historical documents. Then, just as abruptly, in the middle of the fifth century, it disappeared. When Western adventurers undertook large scale excavations in China’s Western Regions about a century ago, Loulan was rediscovered. Many relics were dispersed to other countries. Since then, dense ancient ruins and scrolls written in different scripts have been discovered within the domain of Loulan. The true history of Loulan, however, is still buried in the desert.展开更多
基金funded by National Basic Research Program of China (2010CB951003)Opening Fund of Key Laboratory of Oasis Ecology and Desert Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences
文摘The causes of the disappearance of the ancient town of Loulan in Xinjiang, China have been generally agreed to derive from two factors: human activities and natural factors (environmental variations). In this paper, the Muzart Glacier was selected as an example, and found that the length of the glacier has been gradually decreasing and the snow line has been retreating to a higher altitude, both results contributing to a decrease in river flow below the Muzart Glacier. From the distribution of moraines in the Tianshan Mountains and adjacent areas in different periods, the paper speculates that there have been four minor glacial periods since the Quaternary. Although the durations and scales of the four minor glacial periods were different, they all indirectly influenced the formation and disappearance of the Lop Nur Lake. The events of the fourth minor glacial period are the important impact factors in the existence and disappearance of Loulan. Whether the disappearance of Loulan can be related to the events of the three previous minor glacial periods needs further investigation.
文摘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.
文摘TWO thousand years ago, a kingdom named Loulan suddenly occurred in major Chinese and Western historical documents. Then, just as abruptly, in the middle of the fifth century, it disappeared. When Western adventurers undertook large scale excavations in China’s Western Regions about a century ago, Loulan was rediscovered. Many relics were dispersed to other countries. Since then, dense ancient ruins and scrolls written in different scripts have been discovered within the domain of Loulan. The true history of Loulan, however, is still buried in the desert.
