Recent Progress of Study on Chinese Pastmap

In the recent decade, much progress has been achieved in the study on the history of Chinese cartography. This paper gives a brief review to these achievements from approaches of projects, publications, paper and other.

1. Institution and project

There are several authority institutions engaging in this study, such as Institute of History of Natural Sciences, CAS, Institute of Cartography, Chinese Academy of Surveying and Mapping, with supports from the National Sciences Foundation or State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping. The promoting projects with their effort draw broad attention. First is the compilation of Atlas of Ancient Maps in China, published separately in 3 volumes. The leading personalities are Prof. Cao Wan Ru, Prof. Zheng Xi Huang, and Prof. Niu Zhong Xun, etc. Second is the compilation of China: in Ancient and Modern Maps. The English edition is published by the Philip Wilson Publishers in 1998. The authors are Prof. Yen Ping etc. Third is undergoing project of the compilation of Atlas of Ancient Urban Maps in China, leading by Prof. Zheng of CAS. Fourth is also undergoing with the theme of modern topographic maps, leading by Doctor Wang Jun of CASM.

2. Published Collections and Reference Book

Just mentioned above, there are 4 volumes collections published, which could be recognized as landmark of this field. For others, Doctor Wang Qian Jin of CAS compiled a collection of pastmaps.

About the reference book, the department of map of National Library compiled the Directory to 6827 domestic and abroad past maps in this Library, which was published in 1997 with clear and useful index. With his hard efforts in Europe, Prof. Li Xiao Cong of Peking University compiled a Descriptive Catalogue of Pre-1900 Chinese Maps Seen in Europe, with preface of Prof. Hou Ren Zhi and Chairman of Imago Mundi Ltd. Librarian Tony Campbell. With these 2 valuable guidance books, the interested scholars may trace most of old Chinese map.

3. Academic writing and paper

The author indicates 2 writings and several papers. First book is Treasure of Sino-pastmaps, compiled by Prof. Yan Ping, etc., and published in 1995. Second is History of Chinese Surveying and Mapping, Volume 2-Ming dynasty to the Public of China, edited by SBSM and published in 1995. As for papers, the Studies in the History of Natural Sciences is a recommended magazine and the paper on which should be noted. On Vol. 15, Doctor Que Wei Min writes On Cartographical Rule of the Gazetteer-map in Ancient Chinese Local Records. On Vol. 17, Prof. Jiang Dao Zhang of Chinese Taipei has Distinctive Feature of Traditional Chinese Cartography. On the Progress in Geography Vol. 19, No. 1, Doctor Wang Jun published Research to some old maps of Beijing in the Modern Periods, with emphasis on topographic maps of Beijing.

4. Prospective

New topics for the academy, the author think, would be thematic study and popularization. The historical urban map, topographical map, is under research. Further, the ocean map, the boundary map maybe included in the field. On the other side, with the aid of digital technique and web infrastructure, the academic progress would spread and become social knowledge more effectively. Keeping this in mind, the author construct the website of Sino-Past-Map to promote the academic communication, and web-publish some new results.

abstract of paper present to ICC2001, Beijing