Cartography in Chinese administrative gazetteers of the Song dynasty (A.D. 960-1279)

The objective of this dissertation is to interpret and analyze the cultural meaning found in the maps of Chinese administrative gazetteers of the Song dynasty (A.D. 960-1279). Specifically, the research is comprised of three aspects. First, what were the social and technological conditions of emergence of these gazetteers and gazetteer maps? Second, how did political power influence the production process of the gazetteers and gazetteer maps? Finally, what were the cultural meanings which were reproduced, communicated, and experienced through the map images?;The methodology which is derived from relevant cultural theories examines both maps and map making under their specific cultural context. Besides some basic techniques of analyses, such as cartographic analysis, the method of iconographical analysis is used to search for the symbolic meaning of the maps. In addition, a Geographical Information System is creatively applied to analyze the absolute accuracy and relative accuracy of one early map.;The results of this research show that the strong social need, the influence of Neo-Confucianism, and progress of printing and paper making technologies were the main reasons for the rapid development of the gazetteers and their maps during the Song period. The political power controlled the process of compiling most gazetteers and maps. These maps presented various spatial images which were related to a state administrative division. Some important social concepts and relations, such as the emperor's power, were emphasized on the map images. Some aspects of general Chinese cartographic culture, such as multiple modes of representation, were also reflected on these maps.;The studies in this dissertation also reveal the important nature of cartography and maps in general. Cartography is not only a technique of making maps but also a social practice. Maps can be looked upon both as the usual geographical representations of the spatial world and as the cultural images which reflect the societies in which they are produced. From this point of view, interpretation of maps can go beyond their cartographic technology and explore the social and cultural significance in their specific historical contexts.