12세기 중국의 기후변동과 기근

Abstract

This research examines important characteristics of climate change and famine in twelfth century China using previous studies in the field. According to recent studies, the twelfth century is understood as a part of cool period during the so-called ‘medieval warm period.’ Based on the analysis of Song-Shi〔『宋史』〕, abnormal climate changes are most frequently witnessed during the twelfth century. Further analyzing the historical sources that have recorded such abnormalities and ranking the individual severity of these incidents, it has become apparent that most severe abnormal cool climate took place during this same century. Notably, for example, cold climate above level 3 happened most frequently between 1180 and 1199 for five times. Abnormal warm climate during the winter season also took place most frequently in this century during the Song Dynasty excluding the 960s and 1080s. These observations funnel down into one conclusion: the forty years between the 1160s and 1190s witnessed the increased climate variability during the entire cool period of the twelfth century. Severe levels of famine also took place during the twelfth century. This century far more frequently witnessed the incidents in which many people starved to death than any other centuries during the Song Dynasty. Under the Song’s rule (960-1279), the twelfth century marks the cool period. The increased climate variability, severe levels of natural disasters, famine, and increased price of rice suggest that people of the lower classes must have been forced into a very harsh living condition during this period.