Page 151 - JCAU-7-2

Journal of Chinese

Architecture and Urbanism

ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Reconstructing Minyue Kingdom’s roads: A

least-cost path approach to cultural heritage
networks

Li Wang* , Xiaowen Zhao, Kui Zhou, Linlin Sun, Rui Zhang, Chenchen Li,
Feiya Su, and Zhiqiang Mu
Department of Architecture, School of Architecture, Kashi University, Kashi, Xinjiang Uygur
Autonomous Region, China

Abstract
This study utilizes high-resolution digital elevation models (DEM) and Landsat 8 remote
sensing imagery to reconstruct the ancient road networks of the Minyue Kingdom in
present-day Fujian province, China, focusing on the Qin dynasty (221 – 206 BCE) and
Eastern Han dynasty (25 – 220). Using 12.5 m precision DEMs for elevation and Landsat
8 for land use and environmental data, a cost surface model was developed, leveraging
*Corresponding author:
Li Wang the region’s stable geographical environment. Least-cost path (LCP) analysis was
(wongerxiao@ksu.edu.cn) applied to identify the most efficient travel routes, accounting for natural and human-
made barriers. The findings highlight five key insights: (i) mapping over 10,000 km
Citation: Wang, L., Zhao, X., Zhou,
K., Sun, L., Zhang, R., Li, C., Su, of ancient pathways, emphasizing their significance in military logistics, trade, and
F., & Mu, Z. (2025). Reconstructing cultural exchanges; (ii) identification of critical nodes, such as forts and trading posts,
Minyue Kingdom’s roads: A least- that facilitated strategic control and economic development; (iii) the influence of
cost path approach to cultural
heritage networks. Journal of Fujian’s diverse topography on road network configurations; (iv) cultural narratives
Chinese Architecture and Urbanism, facilitated by these routes during the Minyue period (306 – 110 BCE); and (v) validation
7(2): 4226. of LCP models in predicting undocumented routes and enhancing understanding of
https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.4226
ancient transportation systems. This interdisciplinary approach integrates historical
Received: July 12, 2024 research, geographic information systems (GISs), and digital preservation, enriching
1st revised: September 11, 2024 archaeological knowledge and offering practical tools for cultural heritage management.
The findings underscore the potential of GIS technologies in reconstructing historical
2nd revised: October 18, 2024
landscapes and suggest broader applications for heritage preservation and education.
3rd revised: November 14, 2024 The digital visualization of these networks provides a valuable resource for researchers
Accepted: December 2, 2024 and cultural heritage professionals worldwide.
Published online: March 14, 2025
Copyright: © 2025 Author(s). Keywords: Minyue Kingdom; Ancient road networks; Geographic information system
This is an open-access article technology; Least-cost path analysis; Cultural heritage preservation
distributed under the terms of the
Creative Commons Attribution-
Non-Commercial 4.0 International
(CC BY-NC 4.0), which permits all
non-commercial use, distribution, 1. Introduction
and reproduction in any medium,
provided the original work is In the tapestry of linear cultural heritage (Cao et al., 2021; Chen & Sun, 2023; Choi et al.,
properly cited. 2023; Kamran, 2022; Li et al., 2016), ancient roadways emerge as pivotal conduits within
Publisher’s Note: AccScience historical transportation networks (Crabtree et al., 2021; Güimil-Fariña & Parcero-
Publishing remains neutral with Oubiña, 2015; Harrower & Dumitru, 2017). Amid the resurgence of international
regard to jurisdictional claims in
published maps and institutional corridors such as the overland Silk Road and the Maritime Silk Road (Cinar et al.,
affiliations. 2016; Feng, 2017; Liang & Guan, 2013; Shroder, 2014) under the aegis of Belt and Road

Volume 7 Issue 2 (2025) 1 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.4226