Zhang Sixun and the Prosperous Astronomy in the Song Dynasty

Chinese astronomy reached its pinnacle in the Song Dynasty(960-1279)as culture continued to prosper to a new height.The invention of the“Taiping Armillary Sphere”by Zhang Sixun,who was from Bazhong in the Shu area(today’s Sichuan province),marked a milestone in the astronomical development in China.This article delves into the driving forces behind Zhang Sixun’s outstanding contributions to astronomy from the perspectives of the important role of astronomy in the politics of the Song Dynasty,the great attention the imperial court paid to astronomy,and the influence of the Shu culture,which centers on the belief“Tian Shu Zai Shu”(the rule of the universe is best observed in Shu).

Construction of the Genealogy of Eccentric Monks Based on the Historical Materials of Chan Buddhism in the Song Dynasty--From Enlightened Masters in Chan Buddhism,Sages,to Saints

Regarding the Chan Buddhism lamp records from the Song Dynasty and starting from Jing De Zhuan Deng Lu,the category of“enlightened masters in Chan Buddhism”禪門達者was listed separately,meaning a separate category was established for eccentric monks who pretended to be crazy,had unknown inheritance and miraculous deeds,and were difficult to classify.The following lamp records named this category of eccentric monks as“sages”散聖,or“saints”應化聖賢,which constructed another historical genealogy for the special Chan Buddhism eccentric monks.Moreover,the early lamp records included mostly idiosyncratic mad monks from previous dynasties.Since the Southern Song Dynasty,Chan Buddhism historical materials included many sages from the current dynasty.Therefore,this study mainly examines how the genealogy of Chan Buddhism eccentric monks was constructed in Song Dynasty Chan Buddhism lamp records,including quotations,and organizes the images of eccentric monks in the Song Dynasty,as written in Chan Buddhism historical materials,in order that the meaning of existence of these enlightened masters,sages,saints,etc.,included in the genealogy of Song Dynasty eccentric monks in the history of Chan Buddhism can be reflected.

ANALYSIS OF DRIVING FORCES ON THE CHANGE OF HISTORICAL FARMLAND USE IN SHANDONG PROVINCE DURING THE QING DYNASTY (1644-1911)

How land-cover has been changed by human use over the last 300 years is oneof the five overarching questions guiding the Land-use/Cover Change (LUCC) Science/Research Plan.China has variety of historical documents providing unique data superiority. So the characteristicsof farmland area in Shandong Province during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) are summarized firstly: 1)the rising trend of farmland area was striking; 2) farmland area had remarkable fluctuation; 3)farmland area per capita decreased dramatically; 4) wasteland reclamation index increased rapidly.Then, the driving forces of farmland area change are analyzed. It is concluded that natural andhuman factors are jointly influential. Among the driving forces, human dimensions are the mainfactors of farmland area change, which direct the general tendency of the changes mentioned above.And the natural factors influence the stability of farmland area as well. Variation of the naturalfactors would act as the major contributory factor to farmland area change during years or periodsof abrupt climatic changes, or during the intensive occurring periods of natural hazards. Besides,the passive aspects of human factors, such as war chaos also influenced the fluctuation of thefarmland area. This research indicates that it is feasible to study the land-use/cover change byChinese historical literatures, which has huge potential to provide a comprehensive picture of thegrowing dominance of human land-use and land-cover patterns that can be used in many global changeresearch projects.

Construction of the Sense of Belonging of Place Spirit in the Renovation of Historical Blocks: A Case Study of Ancient Town Street of Ming and Qing Dynasties in Hekou, Qianshan

The renovation of historical blocks often stays at the material level of buildings, ignoring the deeper spiritual level, which can not arouse people’s sense of belonging to the city memory. Based on the protection of local Qianshan area culture, taking Hekou ancient town street of Ming and Qing Dynasty as an example, with the construction of place spirit and sense of belonging as the primary goal, and combining the history and culture of the city, the current situation of the streets and the characteristics of the buildings, this paper put forward the relevant renovation measures to provide a kind of thinking for the refined and rational renovation of the blocks in the future.

Brief History of Xu-style Gardens in the Qin and Han Dynasties

This paper studied the gardening activities and characteristics of Xu-style gardens in the Qin and Han Dynasties by combining ancient literature with the study of Han Dynasty stone reliefs.The results showed that by Qin and Han Dynasties,the imperial(royal)gardens and private gardens in ancient Xuzhou had developed in parallel.Imperial(royal)gardens were built by or for vassal kings,First Emperor of Qin Dynasty,Emperor Gaozu of Han Dynasty Liu Bang,for example,Pei Palace,Yanqi Tai,Xima Tai,Hanzu Temple,Lingguang Palace of Lu and so on.As for private gardens,stone reliefs in medium or small tombs owned by the bigwigs or the rich were collected from ancient Xuzhou,and from which we can see clearly the development of private garden from the court,the yard to the garden,rich garden plants and animal species,garden architecture types such as hall,building,pavilion,platform,boat,corridor,gate,gatetower,ornamental column etc.,particularly,hanging waterside pavilion was a unique architectural form of Xu-style garden.These achievements showed that Xu-style garden architecture had been transformed from the pre-Qin incubation period to the generation period.

Functional Features and Layouts of Yangzhou Residential Gardens in the Late Qing Dynasty and the Early Republic of China: A Case Study of Residential Gardens of Officials, Merchants and Literati

On the basis of analyzing socio-economic structures, social classes and their relations in the late Qing Dynasty and the early Republic of China, this paper took residential gardens of three principal groups(officials, merchants and literati) for example, analyzed functional features and layouts of the gardens, explored artistic characteristics and cultural connotations of the local residential gardens, so as to provide references for the conservation and construction of historic and cultural cities, design and expression of modern urban livable spaces.

Frontier of Military Defense Buildings in the Western Regions of the Han and Tang Dynasties Based on CiteSpace

Under the guidance of the “the Belt and Road” policy, the academic community continues to study the historical relics of the western regions and military facilities along the silk road in recent years. Focusing on the military defense buildings in the western regions of the Han and Tang Dynasties, CiteSpace software is used to conduct statistical and visual analysis on the hot issues of relevant literature in the military buildings on the silk road. Based on the analysis of frontier hot issues, the research trend of future topics is analyzed and predicted. The research shows that the frontier hot spots of military architecture in the western regions of Han and Tang Dynasties are extensive, and the research trend is steadily rising.

A Brief Analysis of Competitive Sports Depicted on the Portrait Bricks and Stones of the Han Dynasty

The emergence of competitive sports in ancient China is closely related to military activities.With the evolution and development of society,many sporting events have been introduced to and accepted by,the people and later carried forward from generation to generation.In the Han Dynasty,thanks to the strong national strength and booming economy,competitive sports witnessed rapid development.People at that time,from imperial officials to common people,were all keen on various competitive sports and such sports were also very popular among the folk.Along with this,there emerged multiple monographs on sports.Portrait bricks are the remnants of the lavish burial rituals of the Han Dynasty.As the economy grew and social wealth amassed,the lavish burial custom prevailing since the Spring and Autumn Period reached its peak in the Han Dynasty,especially in the Eastern Han Dynasty.People would bury in tombs along with various articles they used before they died.They would also paint the life of the tomb owner on bricks to decorate the tomb by embedding them in the tomb chamber.The images on the portrait bricks unearthed from the tombs of the Han Dynasty are the most intuitive and convincing physical evidence to reflect the development of competitive sports at that time.We conduct a preliminary study on competitive sports in the Han Dynasty by using the portrait bricks of the Han Dynasty unearthed in Sichuan province and the Yellow River basin as examples,aiming to do our bit to build a sporting powerhouse and a healthy China.

Study on Sand Junk Culture in Shanghai during the Ming and Qing Dynasties

Starting from the perspective of shipping culture,sand junk culture in Shanghai during the Ming and Qing Dynasties was studied from the aspects of material,system,behavior and mentality.It is found that the change and development of sand junk culture in Shanghai during the Ming and Qing Dynasties are closely related to the convenient shipping conditions and economic activities."Sand junk culture"runs through the development of shipping industry in Shanghai area,reflecting a pioneering and enterprising,compatible and inclusive spirit.

The Influence of the Southern Silk Road on the Social Development of the Southwestern Yi in the Qin and Han Dynasties

The Southern Silk Road ran through Sichuan,Yunnan,and other provinces of China.It was a vital transport artery that linked the region of the southwestern Yi(barbarian tribes)to the Central Plains and influenced politics,economy,and culture in the region of the southwestern Yi in ancient times.The imperial governments of the Qin and Han dynasties kept developing regions along the Southern Silk Road.Their relentless efforts brought about social development in the region of the southwestern Yi in three aspects.Politically,they established the county system and step by step integrated the southwestern frontier and the inland into an administrative whole;economically,they implemented“presenting generous gifts and tax exemption,”spread the advanced production technology from the Central Plains,and promoted local economic growth;ideologically,they spread Confucianism and culture,and promoted cultural exchange and development.

Identification of 13th-14th Century Chinese Handmade Paper Fibers Collected in Yuan Dynasty Paper Currencies

The earliest paper currencies in existence in China were handcrafted during the Yuan dynasty.These currencies were scientifically excavated from different ruins or tombs,whereas scientific analyses of the papers are rare.This study used optical and scanning electron microscopy to examine the fibers collected in Yuan dynasty paper currencies in conjunction with the Herzberg staining method.Despite differences in circulation period,paper fibers in both Zhi Yuan Tong Xing Bao Chao(two Guan)and Zhong Tong Yuan Bao Jiao Chao(one Guan and 500 Wen,issued in Zhi Zheng period)were identified as similar papermaking materials,bast fibers of mulberry bark.The results indicate that mulberry bark,a durable papermaking material used since ancient times,was mainly utilized as a raw material in these Yuan dynasty paper currency.This fiber identification work solved the critical problem of papermaking material in the Yuan dynasty paper currency and provided important information for conserving these precious cultural relics.

On the Aesthetic Wonder and Unity at the Peak of Literary Theory in the Six Dynasties Key

The study found that the classics born during the turbulent Six Dynasties period,starting from Cao Pi’s“The Classics”to“Wen Fu”,“Wen Xin Diao Long”,“Shipin”and other classics,can all be analyzed to have a common origin.Attributes,that is,the philosophical strategy of dualistic isomorphism of explicit and implicit,is also a pattern;it can be proven that this is the philosophical key to interpreting and studying the classics of the Six Dynasties.It not only governs many aesthetic principles and aesthetic methods,but also emphasizes the need to transcend the appearance of current existence,transcend the current utilitarianism,and pay attention to the hidden and non-existent,just like paying attention to dark matter and antimatter in the universe.Pay attention to the origin of Shipin and expand aesthetic horizons;this philosophical secret not only exists in the classics of the Six Dynasties,it has its unity,graphics and vitality,as well as its historical inheritance and continuous operation.Its trajectory marks the context of literary theory and aesthetics;the modern construction of contemporary literary theory must be based on its operating trends.Only by transcending all utilitarianism can we better demonstrate the natural characteristics of Chinese tradition such as nationality.Otherwise,literary theory,aesthetics,and philosophy will not be self-consistent.

A First Tour of Wulong Pool——Nanjing city, the ancient capital of six dynasties, had kept lots of interesting places and historical relics for us to explore.

Last October, the Nanjing-based aiwan, Hongkong, Macao and verseas Chinese Literature Society went to Wulong Pool. Zhang Chao, vice-chairman of the society, invited me to go to see the place with him. We went eastward out of Longpanli along bustling and seething Guangzhou Avenue. by the side of the high Suolong Bridge, we found a garden gate with flower-

The Evolution Characteristics of Spatial Layout of Ancient Chinese Capitals: A Case Study of Sui,Tang and Northern Song Dynasties With Important Changes in the Historical Development of Feudal Society

Imperial city and outer city are the most important differentiation of the spatial structure of ancient Chinese capitals.The relationship between city and Guo changed from the original spatial structure mode of "respecting the west" and "sitting in the west and facing the east" to the spatial structure mode of "sitting in the north and facing the south" and the three outer cities in the east,south and west surrounding the imperial city after the Wei,Jin,Southern and Northern Dynasties,and gradually changed from the original "multi palace" system to the "single palace" system.Finally,a "heavy city" capital spatial structure with the outer city around the imperial city and the imperial city around the palace city,and the central axis of the chessboard format was formed.During the Tang and Song Dynasties,it was a period of great change in the history of feudal society in China.Through the investigation of the evolution characteristics of the spatial form of capital cities in the Tang and Song Dynasties,the track of the transformation of social ideology,political system,economic structure and many other fields in the Tang and Song Dynasties was made clear.

Lead isotopic study of Shang Dynasty bronzes (13-11 B.C.)and their ore sources

The Shang Dynasty civilization in China is based on the development of the bronze techniques. A large amount of Shang Dynasty bronzes, excavated from Jiangxi, Hubei and Henan Provinces, have become a focus of world attention. However,the Sha-ng Dynasty center was located at Zhenzhou and Allyang city areas, Henan Province, where no large copper ores have been found so far. Therefore, where did the huge ore material for casting the bronzes come from? It is an unsettled question paid attention by the archaeologists and scicntists. 35 Shang Dynasty bronzes and 21 copper and lead ore materials aged in the Shang-Zhou Dynasty, the Spring-Autumn Period and the modern time, have been measured by the use of mass spectrometry.Based upon lead isotopic ratios, the ore material for casting the bronzes with the middle isotopic ratios of 207Pb/206Pb ranged in 0.8～0.9 could come from the ancient copper mine of Tongling, Jiangxi Province and Tong Lushan, Hubei Province and that with the high isotopic ratios (＞0.9) could be from the northern part of the Shang Empire, called "Gongfang" in the historical records, e.g. today’s Hebei and LiaoningProvinces. The others with the low isotopic ratios (＜0.8) might originate from poly-metalic deposits, with the high isotopic ratios of 238U/204 Pb in the ore flux or in the magma.

Garden Features in Tang Dynasty and Urban Planning and Construction of Xi'an City

By taking gardens in Tang Dynasty which play an important historical role in Chinese garden development history as case study,garden features in Tang Dynasty had been described from the aspects of cultural,ecological and planning characteristics,so as to explore the development trace of Tang garden culture,based on which relevant problems in urban planning and construction of Xi'an were discussed;and some countermeasures and suggestions on cultural,ecological and planning construction in the preservation of this ancient city were put forward.

Aesthetic Research of Xu-style Gardens in Han Dynasty

From the aesthetic point of view,this paper summarized the artistic style of Xu-style gardens in Han Dynasty,and through the analysis of the historical and cultural background of Xuzhou in this period,explained the formation of the style of Xu-style gardens in Han Dynasty and its cultural origin.Through the interpretation of landscape,architecture,plants and other garden elements and typical examples,the connotation of the garden art style of Xu-style was analyzed.Clarifying humble beauty of Xu-style gardens would help to better apply local artistic style in future garden construction and promote the development of regional gardens.

Glimpse of the Han Dynasty from Han Stone Relief——Take the Han stone relief in Tengzhou For Example

Han stone relief is a kind of unique burial art in China and has a far-reaching influence in the whole history of art.Han stone relief is discovered in quite a few districts in China.Tengzhou is one of the districts that discovers Han stone relief at the earliest and has relatively abundant remains.The article takes Han stone relief that is in Tengzhou Shandong as an example,analyzes the subjects and contents of it,as well as its values,and explores the mainstream ideology which is reflected by these stone portraits at that time.

Remnants of an Powerful Ancient “Dynasty”:Material Cycle and Biomineralization in Modern Seafloor Hydrothermal System

The origin of ancient banded iron formation （BIF） has remained unclear for a long time. How the precipitation process occurred and what the environmental condition was have been widely discussed among scientists, because the period when the major BIFs deposited （-2.8 to 1.8Ga） is the same time when biosphere and atmosphere significantly changed. Based on the discovery of modern seafloor hydrothermal vents, it is possible that reductive environment controlled by vent system is related to the environment where BIF was deposited. According to matter source.