*3.1. Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Settlements*

The database of ancient settlements in the Luzhong region, which was established by using GIS, directly reflects the distribution of settlements in each period. This helps to visualise the distribution pattern and spatial–temporal evolution of the ancient settlements in the Luzhong region in the timeline and facilitates the logical analysis and quantitative expression of the spatial–temporal evolution of the ancient settlements.

There have been human activities in the Luzhong area since the Stone Age, and a large number of settlements were built in the Neolithic period, with 638 Neolithic settlements in the Ancient Settlements Database for the Luzhong area. The Shang and Zhou Dynasties were the period with the most intensive construction activities in the region, with the number of settlements reaching 681. This was followed by a slight decline in the "Qin to Northern and Southern Dynasties" period, but the number of settlements remained high at 591. By this time, the settlement construction activities in the Luzhong region reached their peak, and the settlement system was constructed. Thereafter, there was only sporadic construction on this basis in the following three periods of "Sui to Five Dynasties', "Song and Yuan Dynasties', and "Ming and Qing Dynasties" (Table 1).


**Table 1.** Number and visualisation of ancient settlements in each period.

The Neolithic, Shang and Zhou Dynasties, and Qin to Northern and Southern Dynasties, where settlement construction activities were intensive, were selected for further kernel density calculations of their settlement distributions. The higher the kernel density value, the darker the colour, indicating the existence of large-scale concentrated settlement distribution in the area [10]. In the kernel density analysis, during the first construction peak, the Neolithic Age, the density of the settlement distribution in western Weifang increased significantly (Figure 2), covering eastern and northern Qingzhou, southwestern Shouguang, and northern Changle. The settlements in the region were mainly distributed in the middle reaches of the Mi River, the upper reaches of the Dan River, the Yang River basin, and on the diluvial platforms between rivers.

**Figure 2.** Kernel density of ancient settlements in the Neolithic Luzhong region.

The Shang–Zhou period was the second peak of construction. The density of the settlement distribution in the northern foothills of the Taiyi Mountains increased significantly during this period (Figure 3), forming a continuous state in western Weifang, northern Zibo, and eastern Jinan. Settlements were mainly distributed in river basins, such as those of the Mi River and the Xiaofu River, as well as in the diluvial platforms and alluvial plains between rivers. Meanwhile, there was a slight increase in density in the southwestern part of the Luzhong region.

**Figure 3.** Kernel density of ancient settlements in the Luzhong region during the Shang and Zhou Dynasties.

The last peak of construction was during the "Qin–Northern and Southern Dynasties" period, and the distribution of settlements in the Luzhong region was characterised by a double centre (Figure 4). The first centre was located in the western part of Weifang and in the northeast of Zibo, covering Zhoucun, Linzi, and Qingzhou, with settlements mainly in the Xiaofu River Basin, the middle reaches of the Mi River, and the upper reaches of the Dan River, as well as in the flooded terraces and alluvial plains between rivers. The second centre was located in the southeast of Weifang, in the Zhucheng area, and the settlements were mainly distributed in the Wei River Basin.

**Figure 4.** Kernel density of ancient settlements in the Luzhong region during the "Qin–Northern and Southern Dynasties" period.
