Archaeological and GIS-Based Study on the Evolution of Ethnic Interlocking Village Landscapes in Xunhua County, Qinghai

Abstract

Since the Central Ethnic Conference in 2014 emphasized the strengthening of ethnic exchanges and integration, and promoted the establishment of mutually embedded social structures and community environments, this policy has triggered extensive research in related disciplines. Xunhua County, located in the core area of the Ganqing ethnic corridor, is a region where multiple ethnic groups coexist. Historically, these ethnic groups have intermingled, forming unique villages. This study selects typical ethnic interlocking villages along key geographical routes in Xunhua County and investigates the evolution of village landscape patterns through field surveys, GIS spatial analysis, and historical evolution studies. It summarizes the symbiotic mechanisms of these village landscape patterns. The formation of ethnic interlocking villages is a historical process of ethnic communication, exchange, and integration. This paper posits that the formation mechanism of village landscape patterns embodies profound wisdom of harmonious coexistence in ethnic human settlements. Relevant research provides an academic reference for optimizing and innovating spatial pathways for ethnic communication and integration, and for creating ethnic interlocking community environments.