The impact of climate change in Guanzhong from the Western Zhou Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty on the evolution of tomb layout

Abstract The Guanzhong region, a major political and cultural center in ancient China, is known for its imperial and noble tombs with symmetrical, central-axis layouts that reflect hierarchical order and feng shui principles. These tombs, often aligned with mountains and rivers, symbolize “harmony between heaven and humanity.” Climate shifts from the warm, humid Western Zhou to the colder, drier Little Ice Age post-Song and Yuan dynasties significantly impacted agriculture, environment, and societal dynamics in Guanzhong. Using regression models and interdisciplinary theories, this study explores how climate change influenced tomb layouts, providing insights for modern climate-adaptive underground space design.