Pit Cave Dwellings
In China, underground habitats are commonly called cave dwellings, even though they are entirely man-made, earth sheltered environments. Chinese researchers date the first cave dwellings to before 2,000 B.C. It is believed that underground housing preceded above ground housing. The estimated 30-40 million Chinese who live in these shelters today are confined to the region along the Yellow River in Northern China. The loess soil of this region is structurally uniform, free of stone, and presents an ideal condition for easy digging and stable structural form. The primary type of cave dwelling in China is the Pit Cave Dwelling. It is comprised of a sunken courtyard--a large square or rectangular pit--with cave dwelling units dug around the perimeter.
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Pit Caves
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