Field investigation

Field investigation is crucial for in-depth research on historical architecture. Through 3D laser scanning, manual measuring and photogrammetry, we collected precious first-hand data, set up our data base to support future research. These surveys and research endeavor to reveal the relationship between ancient craftsmen and their works, with the help of dimensional analysis, inscription and literature, which can be attributed to material culture study. Personally, field investigation on the ancient architecture enlarged my vision, trained my eyes, fulfilled my interest, taught me what I can never learn from textbook, which I enjoy and benefit exceptionally. Thanks to the support from School of Architecture, Tsinghua University, China Resources Beer (Holdings) Company, and those who care for culture heritage, we can follow the path our predecessors went through, continue the research, explore the unknown past.

Our field trips covered two-thirds of these cultural heritages as the following maps show. For those of great high value, we conducted more comprehensive investigation. They are labelled by orange dots in the maps. For those of less value we haven't been to, we collected their documentation from the local ministry. They are presented by the white dots in the maps. And the red dots are those ancient buildings that we conducted general investigation on.

A brief report was written for each site. These reports are collected as a book:

Jiang Zheng, Xu Yang, Liu Chang. A Historical Architectural Map of Shanxi Province. Beijing: Tsinghua Publishing House. 2018.6.