Emergence of ancient cities in relation to geopolitical circumstances and climate change during late Holocene in northeastern Tibetan Plateau, China

The study of the history of human activities in ancient cities has provided valuable evidences for under- standing the evolution of human-land relations during the late Holocene. Numerous ancient cities were discovered through archaeological surveys of the east Qinghai Province, located on the northeastern border of the Tibetan Plateau, China; however, the mystery of when or why these cities were built remains unsolved. As recorded in this paper, we sampled reliable dating materials from 47 ancient cities in the area, determined their ages by radiocarbon dating, and compared the dating results with historical documents and high resolution paleoclimate records to explore the influencing factors for the develop- ment of these ancient cities. The 54 radiocarbon dates indicated that most of these cities were built or repaired during the Han Dynasty （202 BC-AD 220）, Tang Dynasty （AD 618-AD 907）, the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period （AD 907-AD 960）, the Song dynasty （AD 960-AD 1279）, and the Ming Dynasty （AD 1368-AD 1644）. The radiocarbon dates correspond well with historical records of the area. Our work suggests the ancient cities in east Qinghai Province were likely built primarily for military defense, and may have also have been affected by climate change.

Protection and Development of Famous Historic and Cultural Cities Guided by Tourism Culture Geography:A Case Study of Ancient Pingyao City

By introducing cultural landscape theories and attaching importance to practical application of theories, this paper analyzed protection and development of ancient Pingyao City under the guidance of relevant theories. Taking Pingyao for example, application of theories in practices will be better understood, and the role of human geography in urban planning reflected. Referring to the protection and development cases of famous historic and cultural cities, this paper analyzed historical and cultural context, and spatial environment of Ancient Pingyao City from the perspectives of culture and geography, and proposed suggestions for the protection and development of ancient city under the guidance of human geography theories.

Conservation of Jiaohe ancient earthen site in China

Earthen sites, which are mainly made of earth, are cultural heritages with historical, artistic and scientific values. Many extremely valuable earthen sites have been preserved in the arid areas in China. The earthen site of Jiaohe Ancient City is one of the earliest National Protected Important Cultural Heritage Sites. The Jiaohe Ancient City site exhibits all kinds of deteriorations, which can be found in the earthen sites in arid environments in China. Through a case study of the Jiaohe ancient earthen site, we present in this paper the comprehensive conservation technologies, including the mud bricklaying and reparation, wooden rod anchorage, crack grouting, surface potassium silicate （PS） penetration consolidation, and suspended steel beam ceiling, etc. Results of this case study showed that better conservation effects could be achieved by selecting proper PS penetration and crack grouting processes based on the deterioration characteristics of the earthen sites. The technology of mud bricklaying and reparation was also an effective method for preventing the earthen body from collapsing. Compared with traditional conservation technologies, the suspended steel beam ceiling technology could effectively reduce the negative impacts to the original state of the earthen site. As for unstable cliffs, a new method using composite anchor rod of bamboo and steel with massive loose earth was applied. Deformation monitoring and temporary supports were critical and indispensable measures for the safe of site conservation projects. Through years of monitoring and practical operation at the Jiaohe ancient earthen site, deterioration at the site has been effectively controlled.

Review: Hu Houxuan, "Xia and the Tu State in the Oracle Inscriptions: A Consideration" Gudai Chengbang Shi Yanjiu (Studies on Ancient City States) Renmin Press, 1989, Pp. 340-353.

This article verified that the Tu state mentioned in the oracle inscriptions was the Xia people after the Xia Dynasty had been conquered by Tang, the first king of the Shang Dynasty m c.a. 16th century B.C. The state of Xia, which originated from Yu, was entitled "Xia Hou"; its king was hence called "Xia Hou Di" (Emperor of Xia Hou), e.g."Xia Hou Di Qi". The Xia people, together with the Yin (Shang) people, and the Zhou people, were the so-called "people of San Dai" (Three Dynasties). As mentioned in "Lunyu, Bayi", they founded the states, with the Xia people being associated with the pine, the Yin people with the cypress, and the Zhou people with the chestnut.

Research on Recreational Intention and Experience in Tourism-Take Nantou Ancient City as an Example

In recent years,under the guidance of the national“all-for-one tourism”and“integration of culture and tourism”development policies,humanistic leisure tourism has become the current hot spot in the development of Chinese tourism industry.In 2013,China promulgated the National Tourism and Leisure Outline(2013-2020),which boosted the development of tourism and leisure consumption of urban and rural residents.In 2016,the State Council issued the“Several Opinions on Further Promoting the Construction of New Urbanization”,which clearly stated that it is necessary to“accelerate the cultivation of characteristic small towns”.The construction of small towns(blocks)led by the integration of culture and tourism has gradually become a new driving force for local economic development.In 2020,the global outbreak of the COVID-19 and normalized prevention and control measures have made the choice of tourism and leisure destinations more localized and short-distance.Characteristic leisure blocks and small towns have increasingly become important destinations for people to travel and leisure activities.Therefore,this article takes Shenzhen Nantou Ancient City as the research area,and uses literature review,questionnaire survey,and statistical survey methods(SPSS.25 and PLS.3.0)to obtain relevant literature and data and describe them.Statistical analysis and confirmatory factor analysis are designed to examine the relationship between the cultural authenticity of leisure blocks,product combination,accessibility,the sense of place identification,recreational intentions,and experience quality,diagnose and discover tourism from them,discover the problems existing on the supply side of tourism object,and provide guidance and suggestions for the construction and development of cultural tourism and leisure characteristic blocks.Finally,this paper tests 10 hypotheses and draws research conclusions:(1)Cultural authenticity has positive impact on recreational intention,place identification,and experience quality in humanistic leisure tourism.(2)Tourism product combination has positive impact on recreational intention and experience quality.(3)Accessibility can affect recreational intention and experience quality in a positive way.(4)Place identification can affect recreational intention in a positive way.(5)Experience quality has positive impact on recreational intention and place identification.

The Influence of Jingchu Culture on the Pattern of the Ancient City of Jingzhou

Jingzhou is the birthplace of Jingchu culture.Under the influence of Jingchu culture,the layout of Jinan city and Jingzhou city in Jingzhou presents some unique phenomena.By analyzing the connotation of Jingchu culture,the paper excavates the pattern features of two ancient cities in Jingzhou,and explores the influence of Jingchu culture on the pattern of the ancient city of Jingzhou.

Application of high-density resistivity method in archaeological investigation of Sumicheng ancient city site

The authors employ the high-density resistivity method during an archaeological investigation of Sumicheng site,an ancient city of the Tang Dynasty,to find evidence of human activities and locate a favorable target for archaeological excavation in the southern part of the outer city.There are two obvious high-resistivity structures,the south wall of the inner city and an ancient building near the south gate along the outer city wall,of which the resistivities are indicative of rammed soil foundations.The south wall of the inner city is continuous but is cut off abruptly to the east,which we suggest it is due to either wall damage or destruction.The resistivity signature of the target area is verified by archaeological excavation,proving the feasibility and effectiveness of implementing the high-density resistivity method for archaeological exploration.

Brilliant Pearl Shining in Ancient City——on Shaanxi Acrobatic Art Troupe

With thousands of years' civilization, Shaanxi province is a great cultural province located in the middle reaches of Yellow River in Northwest China. Cultural gene creating territorial feature and humanistic sight and constituting historic legend, Shaanxi Acrobatic Art Troupe was founded in 1957 in this land.

A SURVEY of the Ancient City of Zhangzhung——Notes on Archaeological Work in Ngari

The ruins of GugeKingdom arefound in Ngari,atthe westernmostpoint of the Tibet Plateau. Itabuts India in the west andsouth,Kashmir in the north-west and Xinjiang in the north.Screened by mountains onthree sides,it is tucked awayat an elevation of 4,000meters. This is a part of theworld which is very dry.TheZhangzhung Culture existedbefore the kingdom wasfounded.

Ancient City of Pingyao

Travel Tips Don’t miss performances in the Pingyao Drama Hall at night.A through ticket is available for all scenic spots.Be sure to hold onto your ticket,as it will be checked at each attraction you visit.We recommend taking bottled water along with you,as

New Appearance of the Ancient City Huantai

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Ancient Charm in a Modern World Kashgar’s old city recalls Silk Road’s history and time-honored traditions

[Kashgar is] the best-preserved example of a traditional Islamic city to be found anywhere in Central Asia.

Evolution of the“Golden Royal City”:Analytical study on urban forms of ancient capital cities in Myanmar

The historical cities in Southeast Asia with distinct characteristics are an important part of Asia’s cultural heritage system and the ancient capitals of Myanmar are as an example of these civilizational achievements.Their urban forms through history are essential spatial carriers reflecting the traditional local planning thinking.However,the overall understanding has yet to form due to a lack of systematic research.This study aims to complement it by studying the urban forms of almost all Myanmar’s ancient capitals based on verifiable spatial elements,works of literature,archaeology documents and field survey.The location,boundary and layout elements are analyzed to classify and characterize these urban forms,and their evolution rules are then summarized.Furthermore,the urban planning characteristics are discussed,indicating that the regulated structure and distinctive image gradually formed,accompanied by increasingly mature planning thinking and methods.The study reveals that the urban form and the planning thinking of Myanmar’s ancient capital cities had undergone an evolution with its own characteristics and that the“Golden Royal City”is of unique value in the genealogy of Asian capitals.The findings will contribute to the mutual learning between civilizations and provide a scientific foundation for the heritage conservation.

Application of the Concept of“Endowing the Old with the New”in Urban Renewal

The renewal of ancient cities is an important part of the urban renewal work in China.However,there are few studies on the general historical ancient cities at the county level in China,and there is no guidance on the renewal path.Through the practice of the renewal design project of Suining County,Xuzhou City,it makes an exploratory study on the renewal concept and mode.It first interprets the connotation and implementation path of the renewal concept of“endowing the old with the new”.Based on the texture analysis of the ancient city of Suining,it finally determines the design theme that tracing the historical context of the ancient city.Using the renewal techniques such as“extraction-transformationactivation”,through the renewal strategies such as“building new space,shaping new landscape,inheriting new culture and pregnant with new environment”,it realizes the regeneration of urban historical context and meets the needs of residents'modern life,so as to provide reference and guidance for the renovation of general historical ancient cities at the county level in China.

Historical drought and water disasters in the Weihe Plain

Through detailed statistics and analysis of drought and water disasters in the Weihe Plain in the historical period, we discovered that in more than 2300 years (from 370 BC to 2000 AD), natural disasters occurred most frequently in two periods. One is from 610 to 850 AD (from the late Sui Dynasty to the late Tang Dynasty) and the other is from 1580 to 2000 AD (after the late Ming Dynasty). Different natural disasters occurred synchronously, that is to say, when the drought occurred frequently, water disasters occurred frequently in the same periods. Frequencies of natural disasters, on the one hand, connected with climate changes and development course of ancient cities, while on the other, related closely to population changes. The excessive exploitation of natural resources and human disturbance and damages to ecological environment are the major reasons for the increased drought and water disasters.

Merging of Chinese and Western Culture:On Archaeological Discovery of Tangchaodun Ancient City

Tangchaodun(or Tang Dynasty mound)Ancient City is located in northeast part of Qitai county in Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture,Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.From 2018 to 2021,Renmin University of China had been cooperating with Xinjiang Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology.According to archaeological excavation findings and historical documents,Tangchaodun Ancient City was initially established during Zhenguan era(627-649)of Tang dynasty;it had gone through wars and chaos,had been used by Qocho Kingdom(843-14th century),Western Liao(or as the Great Liaol124-1218),and Yuan Dynasty(1271-1368),and was abandoned possibly during the reign of Chagatai Khanate in the 14th century.The ancient bathhouse of Tangchaodun Ancient City is of large scale,higher standard,and long-time usage;it is repaired and renovated for multiple times;and it most likely is a public bathhouse for citizens.The main bodies of the Buddhist temple and the Nestorian Church relic unearthed are mainly constructed between Tang dynasty(618-907)and Qocho Kingdom;excavations on the Buddhist temple show that it is built above raw soil layer,which indicates that it is built during the same period with Tang dynasty's Puleixian(Pulei County)Ancient City.Archeology findings in Tangchaodun Ancient City may serve as solid historic evidence for the multi-ethnic integration,multi-religion coexistence,and the mingling of cultures from Tang dynasty to Yuan dynasty;and it may serve as vivid and substantial materials for further research and interpretation regarding subjects including east and west cultural exchange,and the forming and developing pathway of multi-ethnic integration and"great unity".The relics of Tangchaodun Ancient City is of great revelation for our ongoing discussions on the forming and development of community for the Chinese nation.