A Primary Analysis on the Importance of Lushanmao Site in Architectural History
In recent years,archaeological work at sites such as Shimao,Lushanmao,and Bicun on the plateau in Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces has revealed a series of significant findings,which not only has significant implications for discovering the estab-lishment of early states,but also triggers the review of the origin and establishment of Chinese civilization among the scholars.Hence,buildings and their remains as important components of civilization have attracted much attention consequently.Lushanmao Site,one of the significant findings mentioned above,is the focus of this study.As a regional hub located in the center of loess plateau of Longshan era,this site contains certain remains of civilization,which has significant value for exploring complicated regional society and origin of civilizations in China.The remains of some buildings at the site have outstanding meanings for exploring the origin and development of architecture in early China.After analyzing the layout,building style,roof tile and water management facilities around the courtyard on the Large Garrison Ridge at Lushanmao Site,the author points out that this courtyard dwelling featured with a central axis-based symmetrical layout is the oldest example of a Chinese courtyard with such a layout to date,which has significant impact on the layout of Chinese dwellings of different historical ages.Within the settlement,there are different residential zones and different classes of building styles,which not only reflects the outcomes of social integration and establishment of social order in the context of social complexity,but also symbolizes social stratification and formation of different building classes.In Courtyard 1,terracotta tiles have been excavated from specific locations with clear links to different strata,providing evidence for the pre-historic origin of terracotta tiles for buildings in China.These tiles also have significant meanings for exploring the manufac-turing process and installation methods of terracotta tiles in early China.Water management facilities were installed at the courtyard dwellings to prevent flooding,drain and store water,and adjust water sources and local micro-climate while improving the aesthetics of the residential environment.These facilities are important representations of human beings'capabilities and creativity during their interactions with the land.Architecture carries and embodies civilization.Studies on architecture have important implications for the discovery of civiliza-tion.From the perspectives of archaeological,architectural,and anthropological studies,the discussions of Lushanmao Site in this pa-per not only deepen the understandings of relevant archaeological sites,but also provide certain new insights for the origin of ancient Chinese architecture,which may shed some light on research on the origin and establishment of early civilization in China.
Lushanmao Sitecourtyard dwellingaxis symmetry building styleterracotta tilewater management facility
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