Turfan Basin Research Articles

The earliest directly dated saddle for horse-riding from a mid-1st millennium BCE female burial in Northwest China

The invention of the saddle substantially improved horseback-riding, which not only revolutionized warfare, but also eased long-distance speedy movement across Eurasia. Here we present the first detailed construction analysis and absolute age determination of a well-preserved soft leather saddle recovered from the tomb of a female deceased at the Yanghai cemetery site in the Turfan Basin at the eastern end of the Tian Shan mountains. Compared with the oldest known saddle from the Scythian Pazyryk culture site Tuekta barrow no. 1 (430–420 BCE) in north-western Altai, the Yanghai specimen radiocarbon dated to 727–396 BCE (95.4% probability range) is contemporaneous or possibly older. The saddle features the basic elements of soft saddle construction that are still used today: two stuffed, wing-shaped hides sewn together along the outer edges and separated by a central gullet-like spacer and lens-shaped support elements, resembling knee and thigh rolls of modern saddles. Being a masterful piece of leather- and needlework, it is, however, less complex compared to Scythian saddles from the 5th–3rd centuries BCE. Another specimen from nearby Subeixi site, which is also described in detail for the first time in the present study, much closer resembles the Pazyryk saddles in shape, size and structure. In Yanghai, equestrian paraphernalia appear in the grave assemblages during the entire burial period (ca. 1300 BCE to 200 CE), although in higher numbers only from ca. 300 BCE. In the same way, the burial of horses was not common until then. Despite the generally very good preservation of leather, only two saddles were discovered in Yanghai which makes them an exception rather than the norm and raises the question of whether these saddles were acquired from more specialized horse breeders, riders, and saddlers in the North.

A short-lived but significant Mongol–Okhotsk collisional orogeny in latest Jurassic–earliest Cretaceous

The Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) is one of the largest orogenic collages on Earth, which records a long history of accretionary orogenesis from the late Proterozoic to the Mesozoic. Although paleomagnetic studies have unanimously suggested that the major Mongol–Okhotsk Ocean in the eastern CAOB closed mainly during the Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous, few conclusive and self-consistent geological studies in Central Asia and East Asia have confirmed the occurrence of this significant collisional orogeny. Based mainly on basin evolution in the CAOB, Tarim Block, North China Block, and Qaidam–Qialian Block during the Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous, the present study proposes that a short-lived but significant Mongol–Okhotsk collisional event occurred in the latest Jurassic–earliest Cretaceous. The rapid closure of the Mongol–Okhotsk Ocean was possibly related to the clockwise rotation of Siberia, which was driven by the continental collision between the Siberia Craton and the Kolyma–Omolon microcontinent in northeast Russia in the Late Jurassic. Owing to the clockwise rotation of Siberia and the subsequent closure of the Mongol–Okhotsk Ocean, a number of areas to both the east and the west of the Mongol–Okhotsk suture underwent uplift and erosion, including Lake Baikal, Transbaikalia, Sayan ranges, Altai Shan, Junggar Basin, Turfan Basin, Tarim Basin, Tian Shan, Mohe Basin, Great Xing'an ranges, Hailar–Tamsag Basin, Erlian Basin, Songliao Basin, East Gobi Basin, Yingen Basin, Bei Shan, Yin Shan–Yan Shan belt, Ordos Basin, Chaoshui–Yabulai Basin, and northern Qaidam Basin, forming a giant fold and thrust belt in northern China and Mongolia. The collision probably caused a prominent gap between Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous magmatic episodes in the eastern CAOB and North China Block. After lasting for about 10millionyears, the main portion of the Mongol–Okhotsk Ocean closed, forming a northeast-trending suture. During the Early Cretaceous, a remnant ocean still remained in the easternmost part of the Mongol–Okhotsk Ocean, and the regional compressional setting in East Asia related to the closure of the Mongol–Okhotsk Ocean changed to escape tectonics, driven by the collision of the Lhasa Block at the southern margin of Asia. Strike–slip faulting triggered gravitational collapse of upper crust and delamination of lower crust and mantle lithosphere that was thickened during the Mongol–Okhotsk collision, resulting in the development of a continental-scale extensional setting in East Asia, associated with rift basins, metamorphic core complexes, and igneous rocks.

Incidence and distribution of chronic heart failure in the elderly from Xinjiang

To investigate the prevalence and distribution of chronic heart failure (CHF) in the aged population of Xinjiang. Four-stage random sampling method was employed in this cross-sectional study to analyze the prevalence, risk factors and combined cardiovascular diseases of heart failure among different ethnic groups in aged (≥60 years and over) population of Xinjiang. Sample of studied population was recruited from 6 different regions in Xinjiang, namely Urumqi, Karamay, Fukang, Turfan Basin, Hetian and Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefectures. 3 858 participants were surveyed, with the response rate as 89.14% . The prevalence of CHF was 4.30% in this cohort, including 2.74% in Han, 5.25% in Uighur and 6.32% in Kazakh ethnic groups respectively. The prevalence rates of CHF in different ethnic groups were significant different, statistically (χ(2) = 22.62, P = 0.00). Prevalence in males was 5.50%, predominant in the CHF, with females as 3.13%, and the difference between genders was significant (χ(2) = 13.65, P = 0.00). The prevalence rates of CHF increased in proportion with aging and were 3.39%, 3.68%, 5.12% and 6.82% in the 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75 years and over age groups, respectively. The prevalence rates of different age groups showed significant differences (χ(2) = 13.29, P = 0.004), and increased with age. The prevalence of CHF presented a rising trend (χ(2) = 12.07, P = 0.001). of this study showed that atrial fibrillation was an independent risk factor for CHF (OR = 5.20, 95%CI: 2.32-11.70 and OR = 5.54, 95% CI:3.83-8.02). The most common combined single cardiovascular disease appeared to be hypertension(50 cases, the constituent ratio was 30.12%), followed by coronary heart disease (12 cases, 7.23%). The prevalence of heart failure in population over 60 years was high in Xinjiang, and there showed ethnic differences. Hypertension and coronary heart disease were the basic cardiovascular diseases combined with heart failure in the various ethnic groups in Xinjiang. To strengthen epidemiological study on those high risk populations related to chronic heart failure was important on the strategies of prevention and treatment to this health problem.

Excavation of the cultural remains in front of the Bezeklik Thousand-Buddha Caves

Abstract In 2009, Xinjiang Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology conducted rescue excavation to the cultural remains in front of the Bezeklik Thousand-Buddha Caves located in Turfan Basin. The excavation recovered 54 remains including caves, house foundations, stupas, etc. The date of these remains was the Qoco Uyghur Period. The artifacts unearthed from these remains were potteries, wooden and stone implements, iron and bone objects, textiles and manuscripts; in some caves, murals and ground paintings were found. This excavation provided new data for the researches on the Bezeklik Thousand- Buddha Caves.

ASSA13-13-3 Investigation of Prevalence and Distributing Feature of Chronic Heart Failure in Xin Jiang Adult Population

<h3>Objective</h3> To investigate the prevalence and distributing feature of chronic heart failure (CHF) in Xin jiang adult population. <h3>Methods</h3> Four-stage selected random samples Maternal Age 35 and over were used to analyse the prevalence and distributing feature of self-reported congestive heart failure in different nationality, age, sex and The sampled adult population were collected 6 locality (Urumqi, Ke lamayi, Fu kang, the Turfan Basin locality, He tian locality, Yi li Hazakh autonomous prefecture) from 23 municipalities and 7 locality and 5 autonomous county in Xin jiang. The proportion of male to female accounted for 50% each. <h3>Results</h3> A total of 8459 adults were surveyed. The prevalence of CHF was 1.26%, The prevalence of CHF was 0.89%, 1.11% and 2.14% in Han, Uygur and Hazakh population, respectively. The risk of CHF was higher in Hazakh than Han and Uygur people. 1.61% and 0.93% for the general population, the males and females, respectively. The males had CHF more frequently than the females (u = 2.79, P &lt; 0.05). The prevalence of CHF was 0.29%, 0.60%, 1.32%, 2.55% and 4.10% in 35–44, 45–54, 55–64, 65–74, 75 and over years of age groups, respectively. Therisk of CHF increased substantially with ageing. Common complications of CHF was hypertension (63.55%), coronary heart disease (42.99%), diabetes (18.69%), valvular heart disease (5.61%) and fibrillation atrial (4.67%). <h3>Conclusions</h3> The results of this study showed that the higher prevalence of CHF in Xinjiang. The prevalence of CHF increased substantially with ageing and difference between nationality. Investigation of prevalence and distributing feature of chronic heart failure, research the prevention and treatment of CHF among high-risk population and using proper measures of intervention to decrease the prevalence of CHF among population is necessary in Xin jiang.

Current status of valvular heart diseases in Xinjiang: an epidemiological study on Han, Uygur and Kazkh ethnic populations

To investigate the prevalence and epidemiological features of valvular heart disease (VHD) adult populations with different ethnicities in Xinjiang. A total of 14 618 adults aged 35 or older were surveyed. Random sampling was employed to study valvular heart diseases in different age, gender and ethnic groups. Samples were collected from 7 localities (Urumqi, Ke lamayi, Fukang, Turfan Basin, Hetian, Altay, Yili Hazakh Autonomous Prefecture) in 23 municipalities and 5 autonomous counties in Xinjiang. The proportion of male to female accounted for 50% each. The overall prevalence of valvular heart diseases was 7.67% (male: 7.31% vs. female: 8.00%). The prevalence rates of valvular heart diseases were 10.57%, 2.36% and 12.22% in Han, Uygur and Kazakh populations, respectively. The prevalence of valvular heart diseases was lower in Uygur than in Hazak and Han ethnic populations (χ(2) = 3.90, P = 0.000). Complications related to valvular heart diseases would include hypertension (63.20%), diabetes (7.60%), coronary heart disease (7.50%) and fibrillation atrial (3.20%). The prevalence of valvular heart diseases had a substantial increase, parallel with age. Differences were seen on the prevalence rates of VHD among ethnic populations.

Recent glacial retreat and its effect on water resources in eastern Xinjiang

The eastern Xinjiang Basin is desperately short of water. Most rivers in the basin originate in the high eastern Tianshan, which has abundant precipitation and numerous alpine glaciers. Fieldwork conducted on three reference glaciers around Mt. Bogda in 1981 and 2009 suggests that they all strongly melt in summer, a process that has tended to accelerate in recent decades. Based on topographic maps from 1962 and 1972 and 2005/2006 satellite imagery, we investigated 203 glaciers near Mt. Bogda and 75 glaciers near Mt. Harlik. The results show that the surface area of the Mt. Bogda glaciers decreased by 21.6% (0.49% a−1) from 1962 to 2006. This was accompanied by a 181 m decrease in length and a 28% drop in ice volume. In the Mt. Harlik region, areal extent was reduced by 10.5% (0.32% a−1), length by 166 m, and volume by 14% between 1972 and 2005. South-facing glaciers lost more of their area than those that are north facing, yielding an areal loss of 25.3% and 16.9% for southern and northern slopes of Mt. Bogda, respectively, and 12.3% and 6.6% for the comparable slopes of Mt. Harlik. Glaciers smaller than 0.5 km2 in area experienced the strongest retreat, whereas glaciers larger than 2 km2 in area experienced gentle recession but may be the main contributors in the future to river runoff. Glacial ablation in eastern Xinjiang tends to be strong, and the water resources in this region are deteriorating. Also, a heavy reduction in the capacity of the local karez system, as well as a significant change in river runoff, can be related to glacial retreat. Combined, this will adversely affect the downstream city of Urumqi and the Turfan Basin.

Chinese Continental Paleocene‐Eocene Boundary and Its Correlation

Abstract:Recent paleontological, paleomagnetic and carbon isotopic investigations have provided new evidence supporting placement of the Chinese terrestrial Paleocene–Eocene boundary at the base of the Lingcha Formation in the Hengyang Basin, Hunan Province, and within the upper part of the Nomogen Formation in the Erlian Basin, Inner Mongolia. Based on mammalian and ostracod biostratigraphic data, the boundary can also be roughly correlated with the contacts between the Baoyue and Huayong formations in the Sanshui Basin of Guangdong, the Qingjiang and Xinyu formations of Jiangxi, the Fourth Formation of the Funing Group and the Dainan Formation in northern Jiangsu, and the Dabu and Shisanjianfang formations in the Turfan Basin of Xinjiang.

Current status of primary hypertension in Xinjiang:an epidemiological study of Han, Uygur and Hazakh populations

To investigate the prevalence and distribution pattern of hypertension in Xinjiang adult population. A total of 15,061 adults at 35 years old or over were surveyed. Four-stage selected random sampling was employed to analyze the prevalence and distribution pattern of self-reported congestive hypertension in different groups of nationality, age and gender. The sampled adult population was collected from 7 localities (Urumqi, Ke lamayi, Fukang, Turfan Basin, Hetian, Altay, Yili Hazakh autonomous prefecture) in 23 municipalities and 5 autonomous counties in Xinjiang. The proportion of male to female was 50% each. The prevalence of hypertension was 36.21% (male: 38.70% vs female: 34.22%). The Prevalence of hypertension was 33.42%, 28.50% and 48.69% in Han, Uygur and Hazakh populations respectively. The prevalence of hypertension was higher in Hazakh than Han people (χ2=29.36, P<0.01). The males had a higher frequency of hypertension than the females (χ2=20.01, P<0.01). The risk of hypertension increased substantially with age. The analysis of multiple logistic regression revealed that age (OR=1.06), alcohol consumption, obesity (OR=3.12) and levels of triglyceride (OR=1.30) and cholesterol (OR=1.32) and serum glucose (OR=1.41) were risk factors of hypertension. The corresponding relative hazards were age, alcohol consumption, obesity and levels of triglyceride and cholesterol and serum glucose for Han; the risk factors were similar in Uygur except serum glucose. Age, obesity and levels of triglyceride were only for Hazakh. There is still a higher prevalence of hypertension in Xinjiang. The prevalence of hypertension increases substantially with age and there is difference between different nationalities.

Molecular Phylogeny of the Subfamily Gerbillinae (Muridae, Rodentia) with Emphasis on Species Living in the Xinjiang-Uygur Autonomous Region of China and Based on the Mitochondrial Cytochromeband CytochromecOxidase Subunit II Genes

Rodents belonging to the subfamily Gerbillinae and living in the Xinjiang-Uygur autonomous region of China were collected in field surveys between 2001 and 2003. We found four Meriones species, including M. chengi M. liycus, M. meridianus, and M. tamariscinus, as well as related species from different genera, Rhombomys opimus and Brachiones przewaliskii For phylogenetic analyses of these gerbilline species, DNA sequences of parts of the mitochondrial cytochrome b (Cytb) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit II (COII) genes were examined with the neighbor Joining, maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian inference methods. Our phylogenetic analyses suggest that the genus Meriones is not monophyletic and place M. tamaricinus as the sister taxon to a clade comprising Brachiones, Psammomys, Rhombomys, and the other Meriones species. The remaining Meriones species separate into three lineages: M. meridianus (including M. chengi), Meriones unguiculatus, and a clade that includes multiple Meriones species originating from Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. The phylogenetic relationships among the genera Brachines, Meriones, Psammomys, and Rhombomys remain ambiguous, probably due to the saturation of mutations that occurs in fast-evolving mitochondrial DNA. In addition, intraspecific variation was observed for M. meridianus, and this mostly correlated with collection localities, i.e., the northern and southern parts of the Xinjiang region. This variation corresponded to interspecific levels of divergence among other lineages of Meriones. Interestingly, no differences were observed in either the Cytb or COII gene sequences isolated from M. chengi collected from the Turfan Basin in the north and those from M. meridianus in the south, suggesting that M. chengi may be a synonym of M. meridianus.

Late Early Permian (266 Ma) N–S compressional deformation of the Turfan basin, NW China: the cause of the change in basin pattern

Previous studies suggested an important, but yet poorly-understood, tectonic transition in the Altaids (also termed the Central Asian Orogenic Belt, CAOB) in the Permian. This tectonic transition, clearly documented by published stratigraphic data and provenance analyses, suggested a unified Junger–Turfan basin in northwest China in Permian time and it further indicated that extension dominated Early Permian tectonics in the region, whereas flexural, foreland subsidence controlled Late Permian basin evolution. Our new structural observations, microtectonic analyses, and 40Ar/39Ar geochronological data from southwest of the Turfan basin reveal that in the late Early Permian (266 Ma) a NS-directed contractional deformation operated along the southern border of the unified Junger–Turfan basin, which was probably related to the transition in basin evolution. The contraction gave rise to a NW-striking right-lateral transpressional, rather than simple-shear dextral, ductile shear zone along the southwestern border of the Turfan basin, and to an interference fold pattern together with closely-spaced, concentrated cleavage and thrusts in a constrictional strain regime in the basin interior. After the Late Permian the tectonic evolution of the CAOB changed from Paleozoic continental amalgamation to Mesozoic–Cenozoic intracontinental orogenic reactivation.

Paleomagnetism of Miocene sediments from the Turfan Basin, Northwest China: no significant vertical-axis rotation during Neotectonic compression within the Tian Shan Range, Central Asia

Paleomagnetic results are reported from 377 samples of Miocene red sediments in the Turfan Basin of East Tian Shan, Northwest China. Thermal demagnetization for most specimens isolates a low-temperature component that groups around the present geomagnetic field. A high-temperature characteristic component is isolated from four localities and interpreted as primary remanent magnetization from apparent pre-folding origin and positive reversal test. As for previous results obtained from Tertiary rocks in central Asia, the magnetic inclination is significantly shallower than the reference field computed from the Eurasian APW path at 10 and 20 Ma. Magnetic susceptibility measured in 324 specimens exhibits low anisotropy of less than 1.05 for >80% of the sample. The low anisotropy degrees, AMS shape and orientations suggest that the studied rocks are unlikely to have undergone significant strain during compaction or tectonism. We argue that the shallow inclination is likely to result from an initially shallow detrital remanent magnetization. Comparison of the paleomagnetic declination from Eurasia, North China, and Tarim suggests that the Turfan Basin has been subjected to little or no vertical-axis rotation since the Miocene. Together with paleomagnetic declinations on both sides of the Talas-Ferghana fault, we propose that the Tian Shan to the east of the Talas-Ferghana fault has remained relatively stationary with respect to adjacent blocks since the Miocene.

Paleomagnetism of Miocene sediments from the Turfan Basin, Northwest China: no significant vertical-axis rotation during Neotectonic compression within the Tian Shan Range, Central Asia

Paleomagnetism of Miocene sediments from the Turfan Basin, Northwest China: no significant vertical-axis rotation during Neotectonic compression within the Tian Shan Range, Central Asia

The Subeixi Site and Cemeteries in Shanshan County, Xinjiang

Subeixi 苏贝希 is a village lies in a small oasis to the north of the Mt. Huoyan 火焰山 in the Turfan Basin. It means “the origin of water” in Chinese and is under the control of Tuyugou 吐峪沟 Township, Shanshan 鄯善 County. The site and cemeteries Nos. 1 and 2 at Subeixi were first excavated in May 1980. They were surveyed a couple of times in the later time. In order to construct highway, the Institute discovered No.3 cemetery at there in 1992; then they carried out a salvage excavation.

The Turfan Depression of the Western Turfan Basin, Northwest China: Aspects of Subsidence and Relation to Lateral Escape Tectonics

During the Oligocene, lateral escape tectonics caused by India's collision with Eurasia started to affect the western part of the Turfan basin, and the Turfan depression was initiated. The depression's subsidence can be explained within the context of lateral escape tectonics. Of interest is that contractional as well as synchronous dilatational tectonics combined to lower the land surface below mean sea level. In the course of lateral escape, transpressional loading from the north and ESE-directed escape of the western part of the Turfan basin took place and continue today (Cunningham et al., 1996). In the western part of the Turfan basin, ongoing extension is a result of relative differences in lateral escape velocities–relatively “slow” escape in the north as a result of restraining bends, and relatively “fast” escape in the south. The northern margin of the Turfan depression is affected by contractional deformation, but at the same time the depression also is located in a domain of extensional faulting. Strike-slip tectonics play a key role in the formation of the Earth's deep depressions, which occur along transtensile segments of important lateral shear zones. In the case of the Turfan depression, this is not exactly true. However, strike-slip motion along the boundaries of the Turfan basin are the controlling factors for the formation of the Turfan depression.

A paleomagnetic study of Mesozoic sediments from the Junggar and Turfan basins, northwestern China

Mesozoic sedimentary rocks have been collected from the Karamay area (northwestern Junggar block) and in the Turfan basin (northeastern Tarim block) for a paleomagnetic study with the aim of testing the rigid nature of these blocks and to better constrain their paleogeographic relationships within central Asia prior to the collision with India. The results from the Karamay area are disappointing, Lower Cretaceous grey sandstones having apparently been recently remagnetized. This remagnetization is carried by magnetite, and yields highly clustered normal polarity directions. Both a medium (MTC) and a high (HTC) unblocking temperature component are isolated from flat-lying or weakly tilted Jurassic red sandstones. The MTC could be carried by maghemite and the HTC is carried by hematite. The two components are statistically identical, and seem to correspond to an ancient magnetization. However, there is no fold test and comparison with previous data from Junggar and the reference APWP of Siberia does not allow us to decide between a Middle Jurassic primary magnetization and an Upper Jurassic or Cretaceous remagnetization. Stronger constraints are obtained from Upper Jurassic to lower Eocene fine-grained red sandstones from anticlines that have been thrust southwards, in the Turfan area of South Tien Shan. After the elimination of a recent overprint that is probably related to weathering, a high coercivity, high unblocking temperature component carried essentially by hematite is isolated. All directions from the Jurassic to the lower Eocene, which yield positive fold and reversal tests, are statistically indistinguishable. This is compatible with a primary origin for these magnetizations, similar to what has previously been found in Junggar, Tarim and western Tibet. The corresponding Turfan pole is not statistically distinct from that of Tarim for the same period, in accordance with the notion of a large, quasi-rigid Tarim block remaining attached to Eurasia in a rather constant position and at a constant latitude throughout the second half of the Mesozoic. This new datum can therefore be included to derive a new mean pole for the Tarim that is valid for the period from the Middle Jurassic to the end of the Cretaceous: 68.4° N, 224.5° E ( A 95 = 3.1°).

冬季のトルファン盆地における風および逆転層の気温と湿度の特性

冬季のトルファン盆地における風および逆転層の気温と湿度の特性

Evolution of the Turfan Basin, Chinese central Asia

The Turfan Basin extends approximately 550 km east‐west by 100 km north‐south within northwest China and is located between branches of the intracontinental Tien Shan orogenic belt. At present it is an intermontane foreland basin loaded by southward transported thrust sheets at its northern margin. This deformation is a long‐distance manifestation of the India‐Asia collision, but the orientation and location of Cenozoic structures is strongly influenced by the pre‐Cenozoic history of the region. The exposed basement marginal to the Turfan Basin consists of volcanics, granitoids, volcaniclastics, and deepwater sedimentary rocks associated with the North Tien Shan island arc and subduction‐accretion complexes north of the North Tien Shan fault. This arc had accreted to the Central Tien Shan by late Carboniferous to early Permian times. The North Tien Shan fault represents a major boundary between Paleozoic arcs and accretionary complexes to the north and Proterozoic basement of the Central Tien Shan and Tarim Block to the south. Postcollisional thrusting appears to have provided a tectonic load for Lower Permian subsidence and sedimentation. Early postcollisional strata are turbidites, but there was a shoaling of facies until the deposition of Permo‐Triassic conglomerates. No marine sediments have been deposited in the region since the Paleozoic. At least two Mesozoic episodes of compressional deformation are recorded at the northern margin of the basin, which was an intermontane foreland basin during this era. Lower Jurassic fluvial and lacustrine clastic rocks lie above a regional unconformity. An Oligocene unconformity marks the onset of coarse clastic sedimentation in the Cenozoic and probably indicates the start of major compressional deformation related to the India‐Asia collision. Sedimentation rates have increased through the Cenozoic. The neotectonics of the Turfan Basin are dominated by a southward directed thrust system, emergent within the basin at the Fire Mountains range. Southward directed thrusting appears to have been a feature of Mesozoic age tectonics, and possibly the late Paleozoic tectonics of the basin; the most important neotectonic structures in the Turfan Basin follow older structural trends.

Note on a Map of the Turfan Basin

Note on a Map of the Turfan Basin