A study on the spatial distribution and historical evolution of grotto heritage: a case study of Gansu Province, China

Abstract Grottoes are a comprehensive art treasure trove that integrate architecture, sculpture, and murals. They showcase the historical spiritual civilization of humanity and provide a solid foundation for studying the dissemination and development of Buddhist culture. Gansu Province is an importa...

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Main Author: Yang Runze
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2023-08-01
Series:Heritage Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40494-023-01014-2
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author Yang Runze
author_facet Yang Runze
author_sort Yang Runze
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Grottoes are a comprehensive art treasure trove that integrate architecture, sculpture, and murals. They showcase the historical spiritual civilization of humanity and provide a solid foundation for studying the dissemination and development of Buddhist culture. Gansu Province is an important node on the transmission route of Buddhist culture, constituting a relatively complete and rich history of Buddhist art and cultural history. This article uses GIS technology to systematically analyse the spatial distribution characteristics and spatiotemporal evolution patterns of grottoes in Gansu Province from the Wei Jin to the Ming and Qing dynasties and explores the main factors affecting their distribution. The results indicate the following: (1) the grottoes in Gansu Province exhibit clustering and uneven distribution characteristics, which form the core aggregation area of Qingyang Tianshui City and the secondary aggregation area of Wuwei and Zhangye City. (2) Spatiotemporal characteristics show significant changes in the number and focus of excavation and repair of grottoes in Gansu Province over the years. The Northern and Southern Dynasties, Sui and Tang Dynasties, and Ming and Qing Dynasties had more grottoes than the Wei, Jin, and Yuan Dynasties. The overall centre of gravity shifted from northwest to southeast. Natural factors such as topography, stratigraphy, and hydrology and cultural factors such as politics and transportation significantly impacted the spatial pattern of grotto heritage in Gansu Province. Exploring and studying the spatial layout of grotto heritage from the perspective of historical geography is beneficial for understanding the cultural development and historical changes in Buddhism and is of great significance for the development of landscape environmental protection and utilization of grotto heritage.
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spelling doaj.art-437446232ada43d49f374f8f97650ee02023-08-06T11:22:02ZengSpringerOpenHeritage Science2050-74452023-08-0111111510.1186/s40494-023-01014-2A study on the spatial distribution and historical evolution of grotto heritage: a case study of Gansu Province, ChinaYang Runze0Institute of Dunhuang Studies, Lanzhou UniversityAbstract Grottoes are a comprehensive art treasure trove that integrate architecture, sculpture, and murals. They showcase the historical spiritual civilization of humanity and provide a solid foundation for studying the dissemination and development of Buddhist culture. Gansu Province is an important node on the transmission route of Buddhist culture, constituting a relatively complete and rich history of Buddhist art and cultural history. This article uses GIS technology to systematically analyse the spatial distribution characteristics and spatiotemporal evolution patterns of grottoes in Gansu Province from the Wei Jin to the Ming and Qing dynasties and explores the main factors affecting their distribution. The results indicate the following: (1) the grottoes in Gansu Province exhibit clustering and uneven distribution characteristics, which form the core aggregation area of Qingyang Tianshui City and the secondary aggregation area of Wuwei and Zhangye City. (2) Spatiotemporal characteristics show significant changes in the number and focus of excavation and repair of grottoes in Gansu Province over the years. The Northern and Southern Dynasties, Sui and Tang Dynasties, and Ming and Qing Dynasties had more grottoes than the Wei, Jin, and Yuan Dynasties. The overall centre of gravity shifted from northwest to southeast. Natural factors such as topography, stratigraphy, and hydrology and cultural factors such as politics and transportation significantly impacted the spatial pattern of grotto heritage in Gansu Province. Exploring and studying the spatial layout of grotto heritage from the perspective of historical geography is beneficial for understanding the cultural development and historical changes in Buddhism and is of great significance for the development of landscape environmental protection and utilization of grotto heritage.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40494-023-01014-2Gansu provinceGrottoSpatial distributionTime and space evolutionGIS analysis
spellingShingle Yang Runze
A study on the spatial distribution and historical evolution of grotto heritage: a case study of Gansu Province, China
Heritage Science
Gansu province
Grotto
Spatial distribution
Time and space evolution
GIS analysis
title A study on the spatial distribution and historical evolution of grotto heritage: a case study of Gansu Province, China
title_full A study on the spatial distribution and historical evolution of grotto heritage: a case study of Gansu Province, China
title_fullStr A study on the spatial distribution and historical evolution of grotto heritage: a case study of Gansu Province, China
title_full_unstemmed A study on the spatial distribution and historical evolution of grotto heritage: a case study of Gansu Province, China
title_short A study on the spatial distribution and historical evolution of grotto heritage: a case study of Gansu Province, China
title_sort study on the spatial distribution and historical evolution of grotto heritage a case study of gansu province china
topic Gansu province
Grotto
Spatial distribution
Time and space evolution
GIS analysis
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s40494-023-01014-2
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