Abstract
It has been suggested that population growth dynamics may be revealed by the geographic distribution and the physical structure of ancient bridges. Yet, this relationship has not been empirically verified. In this study, we applied the archaeological records for ancient bridges to reveal the population growth dynamics in the lower Yangtze River Basin in late imperial China. We investigated 89 ancient bridges in Yixing that were built during the Ming and Qing dynasties (AD1368–1911). Global Position System information and structure (length, width, and span) of those bridges was measured during our field investigations. Their distribution density was calculated by ArcGIS. The historical socio-economic dynamics of Yixing was inferred from the distribution and structure of ancient bridges. Based on the above information, the population growth dynamics in Yixing was projected. Our results show that 77 bridges were built in Yixing during the Qing dynasty, which is 6.41 times more than the number built during the Ming dynasty. In the Ming dynasty, bridges were built on pivotal routes; in the Qing dynasty, bridges were scattered across various places. Over the period, the density distribution of bridges shifted northwestward, while the average length and width of bridges decreased. The increasing number of bridges corresponded to population growth, largely attributable to massive clan migration from northern China during the Little Ice Age. The shift in the density distribution of bridges corresponded to the formation of settlements of large clans and the blossoming of Yixing Teapot handicrafts. The scattering and the reduction in average length and width of bridges was due to the dispersal of population and the associated formation of small settlements in the latter period. Our approach is innovative and robust, and could be employed to recover long-term historical population growth dynamics in other parts of China.
Highlights
Ancient people settled along rivers or around lakes because of their dependence on water, and many important ancient civilizations are located along rivers, including the River Nile, River Ganges, Yellow River, and Yangtze River
The number of ancient bridges built in the Qing dynasty is 77 (Fig 2-b), which is 6.42 times more than were built in the Ming dynasty (12, Fig 2-a)
In Yixing, 77 bridges were built during the Qing dynasty, which is 6.41 times more than the number built during the Ming dynasty (12)
Summary
Ancient people settled along rivers or around lakes because of their dependence on water, and many important ancient civilizations are located along rivers, including the River Nile, River Ganges, Yellow River, and Yangtze River. Subject to population growth over time, water transportation was needed to facilitate the expansion of human settlements. The oldest known dugout canoe was invented about 10 ka years ago in Lincolnshire in England [1]. Humans sought a more convenient means to cross rivers and lakes. Bridges were built in plains areas where rivers and lakes crisscross, as those areas were ideal for human settlements. The building of bridges helped to increase population density in the nearby area
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