Genesis of the Planning Structure And Ceilings of Dunhuang Sanctuaries

Abstract

The article is devoted to the study of the genesis of the plans and ceilings of the Dunhuang cave sanctuaries. Based on the methods of graphic-and-analytical, defining features and system-structural analysis, the spread of types of plans and ceilings from dynasty to dynasty has been traced. With the help of a group of auxiliary methods of historical analysis, mathematical analysis and comparative analysis, a general picture of the development of the floating structure and constructive schemes of the Dunhuang sanctuaries from the Northern Liang period to the Yuan period was created. By counting the types of plans and ceilings in each period, a group of the most common types of plans was determined: with a combination of larger and smaller rectangles (where the smaller is the altar part of a square or rectangular shape), a plan in the form of a square with a protruding trapezoidal altar, an altar in outline close to a rectangle or trapezoids with rounded corners, a horizontally elongated plan rectangle, based on squares with protrusions. The most common type of ceilings is fu-dow-din with modifications.