Loulan, the name of an ancient country in the western regions. Loulan is an ancient small country in the west of China, and its capital is Loulan City (the site is located on the northwest bank of Lop Nur, Xinjiang, China). It connects Qiemo, Jingjue, Zhami and Yutian in the southwest, Cheshi in the north, Yanqi in the northwest, Bailongdui in the east and Dunhuang in the east, which is the crossroads of the Silk Road. China people belong to the Indo-European language family. At the beginning of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, envoys passed through Loulan. Loulan was the eyes and ears of the Huns many times, attacking and robbing the envoys of the Western Han Dynasty. In the third year of Yuanfeng (before 108), Han sent troops to beg Loulan and capture his king. Loulan surrendered to the Han Dynasty and was attacked by Huns, so he sent his servants to surrender to both sides. After the Xiongnu servant An was classified as King Loulan, so he was pro-Xiongnu. Wang took Tu Jian to the Han Dynasty and reported the situation to the Han Dynasty. In the fourth year of Emperor Zhao Yuanfeng of the Han Dynasty (77 BC), Han sent Fu Jiezi to Loulan, assassinated him, made Tu Jian king, renamed Shanshan, and moved the capital to Mud City (now near Ruoqiang, Xinjiang). Later, the Han government often sent officials and soldiers to station fields in Loulan's hometown, and set up beacon towers and barriers along the way from Yumenguan to Loulan. During the Wei, Jin and Qianliang Dynasties, Loulan City became the governor of the Western Regions.
About 1600 years ago, the kingdom of Loulan disappeared, leaving only the remains of an ancient city. Loulan Ancient City is located at 89 22 ′ 22 ″ east and 40 29 ′ 55 ″ north of Ruoqiang County, Bayinguoleng Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang, 7 kilometers away from the northwest corner of Lop Nur and the south bank of Peacock River.
The ancient history of Loulan Kingdom is still unclear. The name Loulan was first seen in historical records. Historical Records Biography of Xiongnu records that Loulan people founded the country around the 3rd century BC, when Loulan was ruled by the Yue people. From 177 BC to 176 BC, the Huns defeated the Yue family, and Loulan was under the jurisdiction of the Huns.
Present situation of cultural relics
The ancient city of Loulan now covers an area of 6.5438+0.2 million square meters, which is close to a square with a side length of about 330 meters. The whole site is located in the Ya Dan landform group on the west bank of Lop Nur.
The site of Loulan Ancient City is 350 kilometers northwest of Korla City and 330 kilometers southwest of Ruoqiang County.
The Discovery of Loulan Ancient City
The earliest discoverer of Loulan Kingdom was Swedish explorer Sven Hedin. 1900 At the beginning of March, the Heding expedition came to the Rob wasteland along the left riverbed of the dry Peacock River, only to find that their shovel was accidentally lost in the campsite when crossing a desert last night. Harding had to send his assistant back to find it. The assistant quickly took back the shovel and even picked up some wood carvings. Harding was so excited to see the ruins that he decided to dig them. 190 1 in March, Sven Hedin began to excavate, and found a stupa and three halls in Bolu, as well as a large number of cultural relics such as wood carving building components with Greek art and culture, with five baht and a letter. Later, they found many beacon towers in the southeast of this ruin and continued to March to an ancient city buried by sand on the west bank of Lop Nur, which is the ancient city of Loulan.
The plane of the ancient city is nearly square, with a side length of about 330 meters, and almost all of it is buried by quicksand. The city wall is made of soil and red willow alternately rammed. There is an ancient canal that runs through the city obliquely from northwest to southeast. There is an octagonal dome adobe stupa in the northeast of the canal. On the earthen terrace in Tarnum, there are a group of tall wooden architectural relics, and Chinese, Palau documents, bamboo slips, five baht money, silk wool products, household appliances and so on have been unearthed. In the middle of the southwest of the canal, there are three large wooden adobe houses. A large number of Chinese documents, wooden slips and early Sogdian and Boluo documents have been unearthed in and around the house, which is estimated to be the remains of the government. A group of courtyards in the west may be official houses, and low houses are distributed in the south. All kinds of documents and bamboo slips unearthed in the city are called Lop Nur documents.
During the inspection in the early 20th century, a large number of Loulan cultural relics were taken away by foreign inspection teams.
Loulan culture
Loulan culture is the most humanistic landscape in the world. According to archaeologists, human activities in the Tarim River basin have a history of more than 10,000 years. If we connect the abandoned ancient cities in the Taklimakan desert of Tarim River with red lines, we will be surprised to find that all the ancient cities, including Loulan Kingdom, suddenly disappeared in AD 4 15, and all the sites are in the desert 50-200 kilometers away from today's human life. Today, although many scholars have made great efforts, such as the rise and fall and disappearance of the ancient city of Loulan, it is still a huge mystery, and the site of Loulan has also become the focus of world attention. The ancient city of Luntai, Qiemo site, ancient tombs, ancient beacon towers, mummies and ancient rock paintings are all world-class tourist attractions. In human history, Loulan is a mysterious name. Its glory once formed its special position in the history of world culture. People's interest and enthusiasm for Loulan culture fully shows that Loulan belongs not only to China, but also to human beings. Loulan is an immeasurable historical heritage left by ancestors to Bazhou, and it is also the pride of Bazhou people. At the same time, it also means the excavation, arrangement and research of Loulan culture. Bazhou people should take on greater responsibilities and show Loulan and ancient western culture in various ways. When the 2 1 century is coming, the times provide Bazhou people with an excellent opportunity, that is, to develop the cultural heritage of Loulan and the ancient city in a planned way with the rapid economic development as an opportunity and the overall growth of economic strength as the premise. Make them serve the construction of modern spiritual civilization and material civilization. In fact, this is the rebirth of Loulan culture in the new historical period.
Loulan State in History
According to Biography of Dawan in Historical Records and Biography of the Western Regions in Hanshu, as early as the 2nd century AD, Loulan was a famous "walled country" in the western regions. Dunhuang in the east, Yanqi and Yuli in the northwest, Ruoqiang and Qiemo in the southwest. The north-south road of the ancient Silk Road diverged from Loulan.
Office of Chief Historian of Western Regions in Wei, Jin and Liang Qian Period of China. Located in the northwest of Lop Nur, Xinjiang. It is named after the Chinese documents unearthed in the site, and is called "Kulolaina" as opposed to "Loulan" and "Lu Luwen". At the beginning of the 20th century, British Stein and others came here many times to steal and dig. After 1950s, China scholars made investigations and excavations.
Loulan is one of the 36 countries in the Western Regions, bordering Dunhuang and closely related to the Han Dynasty around A.D. The records of Loulan in ancient times are based on the Records of Hanshu Biography of the Western Regions, Faxian and Xuanzang. "Records of the Western Regions" records: "Shanshan Kingdom, whose real name is Loulan, Wang Zhi Qianni City, goes to Yangguan for 1,600 miles and Chang 'an for 6,100 miles. 1570 households, 4.4 1 10,000 people. Fa Xian said: "This land is rugged and barren. The layman's clothes are the same as those of Han, but the carpet is different in brown. Its king obeys the law. There are more than 4,000 monks who know Hinayana Buddhism. " At the end of the trip, Genjyo Sanzo made a simple explanation: "Since then, he has traveled more than 1,000 miles to the northeast, and came to the old country, that is, the land of Loulan. "
Loulan State in Han Dynasty sometimes became the eyes and ears of Xiongnu, and sometimes belonged to Han, playing with the policy of two-faced, and skillfully maintaining its political life between Han and Xiongnu. Because Loulan is located in the transportation hub between Han and the western countries, Han can't cross this area to fight Xiongnu, and Xiongnu can't threaten the Han Dynasty under the guise of Loulan's strength. Both Han and Xiongnu vigorously pursued the policy of softening Loulan.
Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty sent Bo Wanghou Zhang Qian to Da Yueshi, but failed to conclude an offensive and defensive alliance. Later, he sent troops to crusade against the distant kingdom of Dawan and sent envoys to western countries many times. When these messengers passed through Loulan, Loulan was overwhelmed and even killed the messengers. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty finally sent troops to crusade against Loulan. As a result, as evidence of surrender, Prince Loulan was sent to the Han Dynasty as a hostage. Loulan also sent a prince to Xiongnu, saying that he was strictly neutral between Xiongnu and Han. Since then, when the Han Expeditionary Force attacked a vassal state of Xiongnu, King Loulan married Xiongnu and stationed an ambush in the country, which angered the Han court. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty once again sent troops to crusade against Loulan, forcing the capital to stand in a mud city. King Loulan was frightened and immediately opened the city gate to apologize. Emperor Wu asked him to monitor the movement of Xiongnu. In 92 BC, King Loulan died, and the prince who was taken hostage in the Han Dynasty returned to the throne. The prince was very sad and didn't want to return to China easily. His younger brother succeeded to the throne. The new king died not long ago, and the Huns took this opportunity to inherit the throne with the former eldest son who was taken hostage in their own country. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty was shocked when he heard the news. He quickly sent messengers to persuade the newly established king to come to the Han court to hold him hostage, but he failed. In the next two or three years, there was no major incident between Han and Xiongnu, which was apparently stable. Loulan border is close to Yumen Pass, and China's envoys often travel to western countries through this closed door, passing through the desert named Bailongdui in Loulan. There is often wind in the desert. The wind throws quicksand into the air like a dragon, which makes pedestrians lose their way. The Han Dynasty constantly ordered Loulan Kingdom to provide guides and drinking water. As China's envoy insulted the guide many times, Loulan refused to obey their orders, and their relationship deteriorated. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty finally sent an assassin to assassinate the new king. In order to marry the prince who was kidnapped in the Han Dynasty, a Maggie was sent back to Loulan to inherit the throne. But the king was afraid of being assassinated. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty sent troops to Tunloulan in the name of protecting the king, thus gaining the initiative to crusade against Xiongnu and other western countries. The above is the relationship between Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty and Loulan. Since then, the influence of the Han Dynasty has weakened, and Loulan betrayed again.
The mystery of loulan's disappearance
In 400 A.D., the eminent monk Fa Xian traveled west to learn from the scriptures and passed by here. He said in the Buddhist records that this place is "there are no birds in the sky, there are no animals in the sky, and it is everywhere, and only dead bones are used as identification ears". Loulan, an important town on the Silk Road, gradually disappeared after nearly 500 years of glory and disappeared silently on the historical stage.
After the 4th century AD, the kingdom of Loulan suddenly disappeared.
According to the Water Classic Note, after the Eastern Han Dynasty, Loulan was seriously short of water because of the diversion of water injection along the middle reaches of Tarim River. Soller of Dunhuang led 654.38+10,000 soldiers to Loulan, and also called 3,000 soldiers from Shanshan, Yanqi and Qiuci to inject water into Loulan day and night to alleviate the water shortage of Loulan. However, after that, despite Loulan people's best efforts and attempts to dredge the river, the ancient city of Loulan was eventually abandoned because of lack of water.
It is said that Loulan's death was caused by human violating the laws of nature. Loulan people blindly cut down trees, which led to soil erosion, sandstorm attack, river diversion, abnormal climate, plague epidemic, water reduction, salt and alkali accumulation, and finally led to the inevitable demise of the kingdom.
Anyway, one thing is certain, the last blow to Loulan people is the plague. This is a terrible acute infectious disease, which is called "hot nest disease" in legend. One village, one disease, one family dies. In the face of the great disaster, Loulan people chose to flee-just like the previous migration, they were forced. Loulan country collapsed, and people blindly went against the Tarim River. Where there are trees and water, they go, and where there is life, they go as much as possible. Loulan people want to cry without tears. When they hit the road, they were caught in an unprecedented sandstorm. This is a big battle buried in the sky. It was dark, flying sand and stones, and it sounded like a ghost. The ideal city collapsed and dissipated in the haze. ...
At this point, the glorious ancient city of Loulan disappeared silently from history forever. Although the fleeing Loulan people have dreamed of reviving Loulan for generations, the dream can only be a dream. Moreover, at the end of the dream, even the dreamer can't wait to disappear. Loulan is also the site of sandstorm and the kingdom of death.
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Loulan: In the Han Dynasty, it was commonly known as Shanshan country in the western regions. Located in the southeast of Shanshan County, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, it is an ancient civilization with a long history.
In 3800, think about what this concept is and how long it is. The year of 3800 in the Central Plains was the reign of the Xia Dynasty. The Loulan girl in the article lived in that era. No matter what the living conditions were at that time, the beauty of Loulan girl was left to us who lived after 3800 years. It is not easy for people who have never been to the ancient tomb ditch to find it. This is actually a developing Ya Dan landform, with similar gullies one after another, seemingly connected and separated. After many twists and turns, the ancient tomb ditch was found in this gully group. The ancient tomb ditch is only a few miles away from the Peacock River, and the cemetery is selected on the platform, which is also in danger of flood control. It seems that people at that time looked at Feng Shui very much. "The first sight of the cemetery gave people a sense of shock. In the vast cemetery, it seems that countless radiant "suns" have fallen, and each "sun" is a grave. This scene makes me wonder: Did all the nine suns that shot at the sun in Houyi fall here? Each cemetery has a "core" consisting of tightly coiled Populus euphratica stakes. By my count, there are seven floors in the Hu Yangmu Circle of each cemetery. The number "7" must have had some meaning at that time, perhaps the same meaning as that of a pagoda with seven floors. On the periphery of the cemetery, there are some shallow graves. It is these small cemeteries that bring us unexpected surprises. When the first mummy appeared in front of us, everyone hurried to take pictures and left a permanent memorial. I was lost in thought. I have seen the photos of Loulan's female corpse taken by Sven Hedin, which left a very deep impression on me. Unexpectedly, I will witness the real image of Loulan's female corpse, which gives me a very strong feeling. Miss Loulan is really beautiful. Their faces are small, their chins are pointed and round, and their eyes are big, which seems to make us feel the clarity and comfort in those bright eyes. Long eyelashes have a long history. The high bridge of the nose strongly enhances the beauty of the whole face. Thick yellow-brown naturally curly long hair, shawls scattered in the wind, the top of the head rolled into a pointed felt hat. The edge of the dark brown felt hat is decorated with dazzling red wool, the color is harmonious and beautiful, and there are several brightly colored feathers on the left and right sides of the hat top. A circle of velvet fur around the neck is both warm and beautiful. Naked body tightly wrapped in wool blanket. The exposed feet are wearing a pair of short waist leather boots that have been mended several times. The overall image is a charming and beautiful girl. According to researcher Wang Binghua, director of Xinjiang Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, they used wood, woolen cloth and sheepskin unearthed from Gugugou cemetery as materials, invited many authoritative research institutions in China, and made 10 carbon 14 determination. Except for the big difference between the two groups, the others are around 3800. Basically, it can be considered that the burial age of Gugugou tomb was around 3800 years ago. There was once a story about two completely different sets of measurements. That year, Xinjiang Archaeological Institute sent the female corpse of Loulan to Shanghai for exhibition, and the impatient reporter was the first to meet her at the airport. The comrade in charge of escort in the archaeological institute accidentally said the age of the female corpse was wrong. The next day, Shanghai Liberation Daily first published a report on the six thousand-year-old female corpse of Loulan. The age of 6000 years, far exceeding the record of 5000 years of Egyptian Pharaoh mummies, caused a sensation in the world. Fortunately, a large number of test results came out later, which made up and corrected this mistake. Although Loulan's female corpse is only 3800 years old, it is preserved in a natural state and well preserved enough to create a world record. On the unearthed female corpse, we found withered bedbugs and dead lice in her slender blonde hair. Lice and bedbugs are both "heat-induced" parasitic insects, but they did not leave because of human death and cooling, or they had a deep love affair with the beautiful Loulan girl? This may be a new subject worthy of further study by entomologists. The life of the beautiful Loulan girl is actually very difficult. From the poorly woven fur and patched leather shoes she wore on her feet, we can see that the material was not rich at that time. From the unearthed mummies or human bone specimens, we can see that people are very young when they die, and the hard living environment makes them run out of energy prematurely and go to the end of their lives. Where did Loulan come from? After seeing the female bodies in the ancient tomb ditch, from the high nose, yellow-brown curly hair and pointed felt hat, I suddenly felt that they were very similar to Tajiks today. Archaeologists told me that my feeling was correct, and they did have some kinship with Tajiks. In the tombs of Gulob people, there is a small bag on the blanket that wraps the body, and there are some fine flax branches in the bag. According to Begemann, a Swedish scholar, this burial custom is similar to that of the Indian Persians. In religious ceremonies, Colossians used a plant to make the so-called "Ma Hao" or "SOMA", so that souls could ascend to heaven safely. The flax shreds used by ancient robe people probably have this function. Bashi people are a branch of Guyilan people, and Tajiks in Xinjiang are also a branch of Guyilan people. The consistency of this custom may also be a reflection of their national origin. Of course, neighboring areas may also show consistency in some customs due to the exchange of cultural concepts. Archaeologists in Xinjiang have also made ethnographic measurements on six skulls unearthed in the tombs in the suburbs of Loulan, among which five belong to European race and 1 belongs to Mongolian race. Four of the five European skulls are similar in shape, close to the Indo-Afghan type of the eastern Mediterranean, and 1 skull is between the Mediterranean type and Pamir-Fergana type, but it may still be a variation of Mediterranean people in many characteristics. It belongs to the skull of Mongolian race, slightly close to the type of South Siberia. It can be inferred that the ethnic composition of Gulobu people is quite dominant in the eastern Mediterranean branch of European race. This feature is similar to that of Pamirsek residents, indicating that there is a close ethnic system relationship between them. The existence of individual Mongolian skulls also shows that the anthropological composition of Gulobu people is not a pure European race. Lop Nur Sag and Tarim Basin were once part of the ancient Mediterranean in geological period, but after cutting off the natural connection with the Mediterranean, they showed amazing similarities in anthropology in historical period. This fact shows that the environment and society are hereditary.
Some experts pointed out that Peacock River and Cherchin River merged into Tarim River and entered Lop Nur via Kuruk River. Lop Nur is the source of life of the ancient Loulan. The migration of Lop Nur dried up the water source of Loulan, resulting in plant death and bad climate. Loulan people can only wait for death if they continue to stay here, so they have to abandon the city, and the ancient city of Loulan will disappear in history.
Many scholars also believe that the decline of ancient Loulan is closely related to social and humanistic factors. According to Chinese ancient books, the ancient Loulan Kingdom finally existed in the Sixteen Countries Period of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, which was the most chaotic period in Chinese history. Many nationalities in the north have become vassals, fighting with each other. Loulan is a battleground for military strategists, a battleground for military strategists. Frequent wars and looting destroyed the vegetation and traffic and commercial status of Loulan. The ancient country on the edge of the desert could not exist without these two basic elements. As a result, it became a vast scene full of yellow sand today.
But what is the real reason why Loulan was abandoned? Experts and scholars are still exploring.