Xiping Hui

This analysis, supported by GIS software, makes full use of the information acquired from systematic survey and excavations, along with new remote sensing and geographic information. By setting up different models of ancient settlement patterns, this project explores the relation between ancient settlements and different environmental zones. Some factors, such as water resources, soil, and landscape, are discussed, along with descirption of the change in settlement patterns from the prehistoric period to the Han dynasty. Soil analysis provides insight to agricultural development and rice growing. People's ruling policy, methods of resource controlling at different times, and salt production are investigated when possible. According to an important function of GIS, it is possible to predict where other similar sites might be located. This study provides the groundwork for further discussion of topics such as the transportation of salt from coastal sites to primary and secondary regional centers.