駱駝城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)遺址(zhi)分(fen)南(nan)(nan)(nan)北(bei)(bei)兩部分(fen)組成。南(nan)(nan)(nan)北(bei)(bei)兩城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)僅一墻之(zhi)隔,總面(mian)積(ji)30.77萬(wan)平方(fang)(fang)米,南(nan)(nan)(nan)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)南(nan)(nan)(nan)北(bei)(bei)長494米、東(dong)西寬425米,北(bei)(bei)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)東(dong)西長425米、南(nan)(nan)(nan)北(bei)(bei)寬210米,東(dong)、西、南(nan)(nan)(nan)正(zheng)中各(ge)辟(pi)一門,門外(wai)皆有(you)方(fang)(fang)形(xing)(xing)甕城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)。城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)內西南(nan)(nan)(nan)角又有(you)一座(zuo)南(nan)(nan)(nan)北(bei)(bei)長132米、東(dong)西寬79米的(de)小城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng),俗稱“宮城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)”,城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)內有(you)古井一眼。北(bei)(bei)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng),俗稱“皇城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)”,面(mian)積(ji)為6.54萬(wan)平方(fang)(fang)米,南(nan)(nan)(nan)面(mian)正(zheng)中筑(zhu)方(fang)(fang)形(xing)(xing)甕城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng),開(kai)東(dong)、西向城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)門,與(yu)南(nan)(nan)(nan)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)相通。城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)垣(yuan)四角均有(you) 6×6米的(de)方(fang)(fang)形(xing)(xing)角墩。兩城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)現存墻垣(yuan)總長1933米。城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)內地表遺存有(you)漢(han)一唐時代的(de)磚、瓦、陶(tao)片(pian),北(bei)(bei)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)內有(you)建筑(zhu)遺跡9處(chu)。城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)內地表散見焦(jiao)獸骨、灰陶(tao)片(pian),出土過漢(han)五銖錢幣、陶(tao)紡輪(lun)、唐代銅(tong)器和鐵器等。
從整體(ti)上看又分(fen)(fen)外(wai)(wai)(wai)廊(lang)、宮城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)、皇城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)三層,外(wai)(wai)(wai)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)的(de)(de)甕(weng)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)、馬面(mian)、敵臺(tai)、角(jiao)墩(dun)、城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)垣等輔助設(she)施(shi)一(yi)應俱全,基本(ben)完好。在城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)西南2公里(li)處,還(huan)有俗稱(cheng)“羊(yang)蹄鼓城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)”的(de)(de)小(xiao)方城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng),長55米,寬40米,向東(dong)開一(yi)小(xiao)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)門,系主(zhu)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)外(wai)(wai)(wai)圍防御堡(bao)壘,二(er)者遙相呼(hu)應,互為犄角(jiao)之勢。統觀全城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)結(jie)構嚴密精巧,氣勢宏偉雄壯(zhuang),歷經千年仍巍然屹(yi)立(li),充(chong)分(fen)(fen)展(zhan)示(shi)了古人在軍事工程(cheng)設(she)計施(shi)工方面(mian)的(de)(de)高超水平(ping)。
遺(yi)址周(zhou)圍還有(you)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)南墓(mu)(mu)(mu)(mu)群、城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)東墓(mu)(mu)(mu)(mu)群和(he)五座窯(yao)遺(yi)址。墓(mu)(mu)(mu)(mu)群以(yi)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)址為中心,分(fen)布在城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)南、西、北(bei)三面。城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)南墓(mu)(mu)(mu)(mu)群距(ju)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)址南2公(gong)里,面積27平(ping)方公(gong)里,有(you)封(feng)土(tu)(tu)墓(mu)(mu)(mu)(mu)葬(zang)近2000余座。封(feng)土(tu)(tu)堆呈圓形(xing)或方形(xing),有(you)土(tu)(tu)壙墓(mu)(mu)(mu)(mu)和(he)磚(zhuan)室墓(mu)(mu)(mu)(mu)兩種。出土(tu)(tu)有(you)大量(liang)的彩繪(hui)畫像(xiang)磚(zhuan),內(nei)容有(you)伏羲(xi)、女媧、農耕、畜牧、家(jia)居等,并出土(tu)(tu)有(you)前涼時期的木(mu)(mu)牘、木(mu)(mu)俑及西晉時期的彩帛旌銘、木(mu)(mu)版畫。城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)西南墓(mu)(mu)(mu)(mu)群距(ju)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)址西南1公(gong)里處,墓(mu)(mu)(mu)(mu)葬(zang)均為高大的方形(xing)夯土(tu)(tu)墩,土(tu)(tu)墩底(di)邊長6一8米(mi),高5一6米(mi),為五涼時期墓(mu)(mu)(mu)(mu)葬(zang),經發掘為磚(zhuan)室墓(mu)(mu)(mu)(mu)和(he)土(tu)(tu)壙墓(mu)(mu)(mu)(mu),出土(tu)(tu)有(you)彩繪(hui)畫像(xiang)磚(zhuan)、胡運子衣物疏、紅紗(sha)旌銘、青海神樹等,城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)北(bei)1.5公(gong)里處有(you)古(gu)窯(yao)址9座,窯(yao)底(di)周(zhou)長50米(mi),窯(yao)高8—10米(mi),地表(biao)散見大量(liang)磚(zhuan)瓦、陶器殘片和(he)少量(liang)墓(mu)(mu)(mu)(mu)葬(zang)。
可乘火車、長(chang)途(tu)汽車前(qian)往觀光、考古,當地有(you)住(zhu)宿。粉皮(pi)面(mian)(mian)(mian)筋(jin)(jin)(jin)是(shi)當地的(de)特色美食(shi)。農民(min)秋收后(hou),家家戶(hu)戶(hu)要晾腸粉皮(pi)面(mian)(mian)(mian)筋(jin)(jin)(jin)。一來秋收后(hou)農閑(xian);二來用(yong)(yong)新(xin)麥面(mian)(mian)(mian)做面(mian)(mian)(mian)筋(jin)(jin)(jin)質量好(hao)(hao);三是(shi)因為(wei)馬(ma)蓮(lian)成熟。可用(yong)(yong)來晾曬粉皮(pi)面(mian)(mian)(mian)筋(jin)(jin)(jin)。粉皮(pi)面(mian)(mian)(mian)筋(jin)(jin)(jin)的(de)制作過程較復雜,由白面(mian)(mian)(mian)加(jia)水(shui)拌和揉(rou)洗,將洗出的(de)淀粉加(jia)熱煮沸,放冷(leng)凝固,切(qie)片(pian)晾干,即成粉皮(pi)。剩下的(de)面(mian)(mian)(mian)筋(jin)(jin)(jin)蒸熟或絡(luo)熟切(qie)片(pian)晾干即可。做好(hao)(hao)的(de)粉皮(pi)面(mian)(mian)(mian)筋(jin)(jin)(jin),都用(yong)(yong)馬(ma)蓮(lian)絲扎成小(xiao)把,貯(zhu)存起來。食(shi)用(yong)(yong)時用(yong)(yong)涼(liang)水(shui)臨時浸泡,即可做湯、炒萊,又可加(jia)蔥(cong)末、蒜泥(ni)、辣椒(jiao)油、鹽及醋(cu)等涼(liang)拌而食(shi),冷(leng)熱葷素隨(sui)人口味(wei)而制,方(fang)便實惠,風味(wei)獨(du)特。
據史書記(ji)載和學術考證(zheng),駱(luo)(luo)駝(tuo)(tuo)城(cheng)(cheng)為(wei)西(xi)漢表是縣地震后前(qian)涼(liang)(liang)于(yu)距縣城(cheng)(cheng)西(xi)南(nan)20公里處新建(jian)(jian)(jian)的(de)(de)治所。西(xi)晉(jin)滅亡(wang)后,割據河西(xi)的(de)(de)前(qian)涼(liang)(liang)張氏政(zheng)(zheng)權(quan)為(wei)安(an)置(zhi)關內來投的(de)(de)難民(min),在(zai)駱(luo)(luo)駝(tuo)(tuo)城(cheng)(cheng)故(gu)址建(jian)(jian)(jian)郡(jun),并以東晉(jin)王朝都(dou)“建(jian)(jian)(jian)康(kang)(kang)”來命名,借此(ci)標(biao)榜(bang)效(xiao)忠晉(jin)王室(shi)來爭(zheng)取北方漢人(ren)的(de)(de)支持(chi),成(cheng)(cheng)為(wei)戰亂(luan)給駱(luo)(luo)駝(tuo)(tuo)城(cheng)(cheng)歷史烙下的(de)(de)特殊印記(ji)。此(ci)后前(qian)涼(liang)(liang)于(yu)公元(yuan)(yuan)376年(nian)被(bei)(bei)(bei)(bei)前(qian)秦所滅,建(jian)(jian)(jian)康(kang)(kang)郡(jun)首(shou)次(ci)易(yi)主(zhu)。淝水(shui)(shui)之(zhi)戰前(qian)秦苻堅失敗后,其大(da)將呂光(guang)乘機占領河西(xi)擁兵(bing)(bing)自(zi)(zi)立,次(ci)年(nian)又(you)鎮壓(ya)了(le)以張大(da)豫、王穆為(wei)首(shou)的(de)(de)前(qian)涼(liang)(liang)殘余勢力(li)在(zai)建(jian)(jian)(jian)康(kang)(kang)郡(jun)舉(ju)行的(de)(de)叛亂(luan),并于(yu)公元(yuan)(yuan)389年(nian)建(jian)(jian)(jian)立后涼(liang)(liang),委任參軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)段業(ye)為(wei)建(jian)(jian)(jian)康(kang)(kang)太守。第(di)二年(nian),因(yin)呂光(guang)濫殺無辜,盧水(shui)(shui)胡人(ren)沮渠(qu)、蒙(meng)遜擁立段業(ye)為(wei)主(zhu),以建(jian)(jian)(jian)康(kang)(kang)郡(jun)為(wei)根據地糾(jiu)集(ji)各(ge)部族(zu)起兵(bing)(bing)反(fan)呂,四年(nian)后占領張掖建(jian)(jian)(jian)立北涼(liang)(liang),使(shi)駱(luo)(luo)駝(tuo)(tuo)城(cheng)(cheng)成(cheng)(cheng)為(wei)北涼(liang)(liang)政(zheng)(zheng)權(quan)的(de)(de)發祥地。沮渠(qu)、蒙(meng)遜自(zi)(zi)段業(ye)自(zi)(zi)稱涼(liang)(liang)王后,為(wei)與(yu)西(xi)涼(liang)(liang)李暠爭(zheng)霸,于(yu)公元(yuan)(yuan)405年(nian)增筑了(le)建(jian)(jian)(jian)康(kang)(kang)郡(jun)城(cheng)(cheng)。在(zai)歷經北魏、北周250年(nian)后至(zhi)隋(sui)代被(bei)(bei)(bei)(bei)撤(che)銷建(jian)(jian)(jian)置(zhi)降稱福祿縣。唐武后證(zheng)圣元(yuan)(yuan)年(nian)(公元(yuan)(yuan)695年(nian)),大(da)將王孝(xiao)杰(jie)在(zai)此(ci)置(zhi)建(jian)(jian)(jian)康(kang)(kang)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun),成(cheng)(cheng)為(wei)甘(gan)、肅(su)兩(liang)州(zhou)之(zhi)間的(de)(de)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)事(shi)重鎮,郡(jun)與(yu)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)雖一字之(zhi)差,但(dan)反(fan)映出地方行政(zheng)(zheng)與(yu)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)事(shi)管制兩(liang)種管理體制,軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)有大(da)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)、中(zhong)(zhong)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)、小軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)之(zhi)分。大(da)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)的(de)(de)建(jian)(jian)(jian)置(zhi)是萬人(ren)左右,中(zhong)(zhong)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)五(wu)千(qian)人(ren)左右、小軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)三(san)千(qian)人(ren)左右。建(jian)(jian)(jian)康(kang)(kang)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)是中(zhong)(zhong)等軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun),多時(shi),屯兵(bing)(bing)五(wu)千(qian)三(san)百人(ren)。唐大(da)歷元(yuan)(yuan)年(nian)(公元(yuan)(yuan)766年(nian)),建(jian)(jian)(jian)康(kang)(kang)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)被(bei)(bei)(bei)(bei)吐蕃(fan)攻陷后,慘遭屠掠,后荒廢,從(cong)此(ci)淪為(wei)牧人(ren)晚間的(de)(de)宿營地,被(bei)(bei)(bei)(bei)當(dang)作天然的(de)(de)駱(luo)(luo)駝(tuo)(tuo)圈,風靡(mi)一時(shi)的(de)(de)故(gu)都(dou)由(you)此(ci)得名駱(luo)(luo)駝(tuo)(tuo)城(cheng)(cheng)沿用(yong)至(zhi)今。
神秘的(de)駱(luo)駝(tuo)(tuo)(tuo)城曾讓后(hou)人(ren)產生(sheng)了許多遐想。相傳,西(xi)夏(xia)王(wang)李元昊在(zai)(zai)攻(gong)打由回鶻駱(luo)駝(tuo)(tuo)(tuo)王(wang)子鎮(zhen)守的(de)駱(luo)駝(tuo)(tuo)(tuo)城時,因城池堅固久攻(gong)不(bu)下,便命人(ren)用亂木(mu)、骷髏鎮(zhen)住了從山上流向駱(luo)駝(tuo)(tuo)(tuo)城的(de)“臭門泉”。斷水后(hou)駱(luo)駝(tuo)(tuo)(tuo)王(wang)子支持(chi)不(bu)住,以土(tu)丘水缸假制米山面嶺、油缸醋井來迷(mi)惑城外重兵(bing),擺出誓(shi)同(tong)來敵(di)一決死戰的(de)架勢(shi),而在(zai)(zai)背(bei)后(hou)則(ze)調(diao)兵(bing)差(cha)民開挖了一條自城中直通往今(jin)羅城紅寺坡的(de)地道。一個月黑風高的(de)夜晚,駱(luo)駝(tuo)(tuo)(tuo)王(wang)用餓馬搖鈴、懸羊擂(lei)鼓(gu)的(de)手(shou)法掩敵(di)耳(er)目,他自己則(ze)率領城中軍民老少潛入地道悄然遠遁(dun)。
解放后,考古(gu)工作者在遺址內采集(ji)到了大量的(de)(de)(de)漢晉(jin)玉銖(zhu)和(he)唐開元(yuan)(yuan)古(gu)幣及漢、魏(wei)(wei)晉(jin)銅(tong)印(yin)(yin)、箭鏃,城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)南墓群出(chu)土(tu)的(de)(de)(de)魏(wei)(wei)晉(jin)畫像磚、猴形(xing)木(mu)(mu)(mu)印(yin)(yin)、漢晉(jin)紀(ji)年(nian)簡牘、彩繪(hui)木(mu)(mu)(mu)馬、木(mu)(mu)(mu)板(ban)畫、木(mu)(mu)(mu)尺、西(xi)(xi)晉(jin)紀(ji)年(nian)彩帛旌銘,五座窯(yao)出(chu)土(tu)的(de)(de)(de)魏(wei)(wei)晉(jin)帛書等珍貴(gui)文(wen)物(wu)(wu),為研究(jiu)古(gu)代(dai)河西(xi)(xi)歷史提供了豐富直觀(guan)的(de)(de)(de)資料(liao)佐證(zheng),受(shou)到國家文(wen)物(wu)(wu)部(bu)門的(de)(de)(de)高度重視(shi),多(duo)次(ci)出(chu)國展出(chu),在國際考古(gu)界引起強烈轟動。2002年(nian)8月,甘(gan)肅省考古(gu)研究(jiu)所在北城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)西(xi)(xi)南角進行考察性考古(gu)發(fa)掘(jue),發(fa)掘(jue)面積(ji)1000多(duo)平方米(mi),出(chu)土(tu)文(wen)物(wu)(wu)有唐代(dai)開元(yuan)(yuan)通寶錢幣和(he)方形(xing)蓮花紋地磚,據此(ci)判(pan)斷(duan)北城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)上面地表為唐代(dai)文(wen)化層,并根據房(fang)屋柱(zhu)基被火焚燒的(de)(de)(de)遺存推(tui)斷(duan),駱駝城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)的(de)(de)(de)廢棄(qi),與一場大火有關。同時還發(fa)掘(jue)出(chu)一眼磚砌水(shui)井,深5.7米(mi),表明在唐代(dai),駱駝城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)地表水(shui)位(wei)(wei)在5米(mi)左右,現(xian)駱駝城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)周(zhou)圍打(da)井,出(chu)水(shui)層在34米(mi)左右,地下水(shui)位(wei)(wei)在千(qian)余年(nian)歷史過(guo)程中下降30米(mi)左右。地下水(shui)位(wei)(wei)逐年(nian)下降,也與駱駝城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)的(de)(de)(de)廢棄(qi)密切(qie)相關。
駱駝城位于高(gao)臺(tai)縣(xian)城西20公里處。始(shi)建(jian)于東晉陲安元年,公元397年,是(shi)后涼建(jian)康(kang)郡太守段業另立年號建(jian)立的(de)北涼國國都。據《重修肅(su)州新志》記(ji)載,駱駝城不但是(shi)北涼初(chu)建(jian)時的(de)國都,而且是(shi)漢代樂涫縣(xian)、唐代建(jian)康(kang)軍的(de)故址。
駱駝城(cheng)面(mian)(mian)積近30萬平方米(mi)(mi),分前、中、后三(san)城(cheng)。城(cheng)墻基厚6米(mi)(mi),殘(can)高7米(mi)(mi)。除東北角外,其它三(san)角都筑(zhu)有(you)長(chang)方形(xing)角墩(dun),前部城(cheng)垣東、西、南三(san)面(mian)(mian)各開一門(men)(men)并(bing)筑(zhu)有(you)甕城(cheng),內城(cheng)南垣正(zheng)中辟門(men)(men)并(bing)筑(zhu)甕城(cheng)與(yu)外城(cheng)相通。全城(cheng)布局(ju)合理,是遺存較完整的漢(han)唐(tang)故城(cheng)。
明(ming)代詩人沈青崖過高臺留詩道“榆木山前古建康,南(nan)郭(guo)風景(jing)繪(hui)屯莊(zhuang)。兩行高柳沙汀暗,一派平湖水稻(dao)香。紫燕泥(ni)穿(chuan)曲(qu)巷(xiang),白鷗(ou)沖(chong)雨過橫塘。當(dang)年(nian)畫(hua)舸(ge)中流處,談笑行兵(bing)寄羽觴”。這(zhe)首詩道出(chu)了當(dang)年(nian)故城周(zhou)圍(wei)人丁興旺,水清樹茂,阡陌縱橫的田野風光秀(xiu)色。