Mapping the Medieval Wall System of China and Mongolia: A Multi-Method Approach
The Medieval Wall System of China and Mongolia is one of the longest wall systems in the world, but its specific chronology, function, and purpose remain ambiguous. Constructed at various points throughout the 10th to 13th centuries CE, this network of walls, forts, and enclosures covers an estimate...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-09-01
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| Series: | Land |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/10/10/997 |
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| author | Michael Storozum Dan Golan Ido Wachtel Zhidong Zhang Johannes S. Lotze Gideon Shelach-Lavi |
| author_facet | Michael Storozum Dan Golan Ido Wachtel Zhidong Zhang Johannes S. Lotze Gideon Shelach-Lavi |
| author_sort | Michael Storozum |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The Medieval Wall System of China and Mongolia is one of the longest wall systems in the world, but its specific chronology, function, and purpose remain ambiguous. Constructed at various points throughout the 10th to 13th centuries CE, this network of walls, forts, and enclosures covers an estimated 4000 km and spans a wide range of ecozones, from the deserts of western China to the steppes of northern Mongolia and the Khingan mountain range. In this article we used historical atlases, topographic maps, and an array of different kinds of data derived from satellite remote sensing, to produce one of the first accurate maps of the Medieval Wall System. Through this large-scale mapping program, we are now able to evaluate previous work that estimates the length of the wall system and different areas of construction. By measuring the structures associated with the wall and the length of the wall itself, we identified at least three different areas of construction along the Medieval Wall System. Future studies may be able to use similar tools to develop more accurate maps of other wall systems throughout Eurasia to further advance the comparative study of ancient wall systems. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T06:27:12Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b4fa62ba3a5c4304ade800e213958562 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-445X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T06:27:12Z |
| publishDate | 2021-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Land |
| spelling | doaj.art-b4fa62ba3a5c4304ade800e2139585622023-11-22T18:50:03ZengMDPI AGLand2073-445X2021-09-01101099710.3390/land10100997Mapping the Medieval Wall System of China and Mongolia: A Multi-Method ApproachMichael Storozum0Dan Golan1Ido Wachtel2Zhidong Zhang3Johannes S. Lotze4Gideon Shelach-Lavi5Department of Asian Studies, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Mt. Scopus, Jerusalem 9190501, IsraelDepartment of Asian Studies, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Mt. Scopus, Jerusalem 9190501, IsraelInstitute of Archaeology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Mt. Scopus, Jerusalem 9190501, IsraelDepartment of Bible Studies, The Hebrew University, Mt. Scopus, Jerusalem 9190501, IsraelDepartment of Asian Studies, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Mt. Scopus, Jerusalem 9190501, IsraelDepartment of Asian Studies, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Mt. Scopus, Jerusalem 9190501, IsraelThe Medieval Wall System of China and Mongolia is one of the longest wall systems in the world, but its specific chronology, function, and purpose remain ambiguous. Constructed at various points throughout the 10th to 13th centuries CE, this network of walls, forts, and enclosures covers an estimated 4000 km and spans a wide range of ecozones, from the deserts of western China to the steppes of northern Mongolia and the Khingan mountain range. In this article we used historical atlases, topographic maps, and an array of different kinds of data derived from satellite remote sensing, to produce one of the first accurate maps of the Medieval Wall System. Through this large-scale mapping program, we are now able to evaluate previous work that estimates the length of the wall system and different areas of construction. By measuring the structures associated with the wall and the length of the wall itself, we identified at least three different areas of construction along the Medieval Wall System. Future studies may be able to use similar tools to develop more accurate maps of other wall systems throughout Eurasia to further advance the comparative study of ancient wall systems.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/10/10/997Great Wall of China and Mongoliaremote sensingLiao dynastyJin dynastyancient wall systems |
| spellingShingle | Michael Storozum Dan Golan Ido Wachtel Zhidong Zhang Johannes S. Lotze Gideon Shelach-Lavi Mapping the Medieval Wall System of China and Mongolia: A Multi-Method Approach Land Great Wall of China and Mongolia remote sensing Liao dynasty Jin dynasty ancient wall systems |
| title | Mapping the Medieval Wall System of China and Mongolia: A Multi-Method Approach |
| title_full | Mapping the Medieval Wall System of China and Mongolia: A Multi-Method Approach |
| title_fullStr | Mapping the Medieval Wall System of China and Mongolia: A Multi-Method Approach |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mapping the Medieval Wall System of China and Mongolia: A Multi-Method Approach |
| title_short | Mapping the Medieval Wall System of China and Mongolia: A Multi-Method Approach |
| title_sort | mapping the medieval wall system of china and mongolia a multi method approach |
| topic | Great Wall of China and Mongolia remote sensing Liao dynasty Jin dynasty ancient wall systems |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/10/10/997 |
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