Does the ancient kingdom of Loulan, hailed as the Chinese Mayan civilization, really exist?

Does the ancient kingdom of Loulan, hailed as the Chinese Mayan civilization, really exist? Why did such a prosperous civilization vanish into thin air overnight? This small state in the Western Regions left behind mysterious traces in the "Biographies of the Great Wall" of the Records of the Grand Historian. Located near the vast swamp of Lop Nur, Loulan had over ten thousand households, developed agriculture, and was an important hub on the ancient Silk Road.

However, such a prosperous civilization disappeared overnight, as if it had never existed. The records about the disappearance of Loulan gradually became vague and elusive. So, why did this once-thriving ancient kingdom vanish so mysteriously?

One theory suggests that Loulan might have disappeared amidst the smoke of war. Frequent invasions by the Xiongnu made the weak Loulan unable to resist. However, while war can bring destruction, it seems unlikely for a country to vanish into thin air overnight due to warfare.

Another theory is plague. It is said that Loulan suffered from a deadly epidemic that killed everyone. However, this theory seems to lack scientific basis. After all, how could a country with tens of thousands of people be completely destroyed by a plague without leaving a single survivor?

Archaeologists propose another viewpoint, suggesting that the disappearance of the ancient kingdom of Loulan is closely related to its unique burial practices - solar burials. The Loulan people revered this burial method, which involved wooden coffins arranged in the shape of the sun. However, this custom led to extensive deforestation. In the Loulan region on the edge of the desert, water sources were already scarce. With the decrease in trees, oases gradually disappeared, and the once verdant Loulan turned into a barren land.

As the environment deteriorated, the people of Loulan had to leave their once-thriving homeland to survive. Thus, this once-thriving ancient kingdom gradually disappeared into the long river of history. The disappearance of Loulan not only left behind many unsolved mysteries but also brought profound environmental reflections to us.

Today, environmental protection has become a topic of global concern. However, have we truly learned from it? The disappearance of the ancient kingdom of Loulan should serve as a warning in our hearts, reminding us to cherish and protect the Earth, our home for survival. Only in this way can we avoid repeating the mistakes of Loulan and ensure the continuity and development of human civilization.