駱(luo)駝城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)遺(yi)(yi)址分南(nan)北兩部(bu)分組成(cheng)。南(nan)北兩城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)僅(jin)一墻之(zhi)隔,總面積(ji)30.77萬平(ping)方(fang)米(mi),南(nan)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)南(nan)北長(chang)494米(mi)、東(dong)西寬425米(mi),北城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)東(dong)西長(chang)425米(mi)、南(nan)北寬210米(mi),東(dong)、西、南(nan)正中各辟(pi)一門,門外皆有(you)方(fang)形甕城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)。城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)內(nei)(nei)(nei)西南(nan)角又有(you)一座南(nan)北長(chang)132米(mi)、東(dong)西寬79米(mi)的小城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng),俗(su)稱“宮城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)”,城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)內(nei)(nei)(nei)有(you)古井一眼。北城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng),俗(su)稱“皇城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)”,面積(ji)為6.54萬平(ping)方(fang)米(mi),南(nan)面正中筑(zhu)方(fang)形甕城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng),開東(dong)、西向城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)門,與南(nan)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)相(xiang)通。城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)垣四角均(jun)有(you) 6×6米(mi)的方(fang)形角墩。兩城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)現存(cun)墻垣總長(chang)1933米(mi)。城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)內(nei)(nei)(nei)地表遺(yi)(yi)存(cun)有(you)漢一唐(tang)時代的磚、瓦、陶(tao)片,北城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)內(nei)(nei)(nei)有(you)建筑(zhu)遺(yi)(yi)跡9處(chu)。城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)內(nei)(nei)(nei)地表散(san)見焦獸骨(gu)、灰陶(tao)片,出(chu)土(tu)過漢五銖錢幣(bi)、陶(tao)紡輪、唐(tang)代銅器和鐵(tie)器等。
從(cong)整體上看又分外(wai)(wai)廊、宮城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)、皇城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)三層,外(wai)(wai)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)的(de)甕(weng)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)、馬面、敵臺、角墩、城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)垣(yuan)等輔助設施一應俱全(quan),基(ji)本完好。在城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)西南2公里(li)處,還有俗(su)稱“羊(yang)蹄鼓(gu)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)”的(de)小方(fang)(fang)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng),長55米(mi),寬40米(mi),向東開一小城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)門,系主(zhu)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)外(wai)(wai)圍防(fang)御堡壘(lei),二(er)者遙相呼應,互為犄(ji)角之勢。統(tong)觀(guan)全(quan)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)結構嚴密(mi)精巧,氣勢宏偉雄壯,歷(li)經千年仍巍然(ran)屹立,充(chong)分展示了古人在軍(jun)事工程(cheng)設計(ji)施工方(fang)(fang)面的(de)高(gao)超水平。
遺址周圍還有城(cheng)南(nan)(nan)(nan)墓(mu)(mu)(mu)群(qun)、城(cheng)東墓(mu)(mu)(mu)群(qun)和(he)(he)五(wu)座(zuo)窯(yao)(yao)遺址。墓(mu)(mu)(mu)群(qun)以城(cheng)址為(wei)中心,分布在城(cheng)南(nan)(nan)(nan)、西、北三面。城(cheng)南(nan)(nan)(nan)墓(mu)(mu)(mu)群(qun)距(ju)城(cheng)址南(nan)(nan)(nan)2公(gong)(gong)里,面積27平方(fang)公(gong)(gong)里,有封(feng)土(tu)(tu)(tu)墓(mu)(mu)(mu)葬(zang)(zang)近(jin)2000余座(zuo)。封(feng)土(tu)(tu)(tu)堆呈圓形或方(fang)形,有土(tu)(tu)(tu)壙墓(mu)(mu)(mu)和(he)(he)磚(zhuan)室墓(mu)(mu)(mu)兩種。出土(tu)(tu)(tu)有大量的彩(cai)繪畫(hua)像磚(zhuan),內容有伏羲、女(nv)媧、農耕、畜牧(mu)、家(jia)居等,并出土(tu)(tu)(tu)有前涼時期(qi)(qi)的木牘、木俑及西晉時期(qi)(qi)的彩(cai)帛旌銘(ming)、木版(ban)畫(hua)。城(cheng)西南(nan)(nan)(nan)墓(mu)(mu)(mu)群(qun)距(ju)城(cheng)址西南(nan)(nan)(nan)1公(gong)(gong)里處,墓(mu)(mu)(mu)葬(zang)(zang)均為(wei)高(gao)大的方(fang)形夯(hang)土(tu)(tu)(tu)墩,土(tu)(tu)(tu)墩底(di)邊長6一(yi)8米(mi),高(gao)5一(yi)6米(mi),為(wei)五(wu)涼時期(qi)(qi)墓(mu)(mu)(mu)葬(zang)(zang),經發掘為(wei)磚(zhuan)室墓(mu)(mu)(mu)和(he)(he)土(tu)(tu)(tu)壙墓(mu)(mu)(mu),出土(tu)(tu)(tu)有彩(cai)繪畫(hua)像磚(zhuan)、胡運子衣物疏、紅(hong)紗旌銘(ming)、青(qing)海神樹(shu)等,城(cheng)北1.5公(gong)(gong)里處有古窯(yao)(yao)址9座(zuo),窯(yao)(yao)底(di)周長50米(mi),窯(yao)(yao)高(gao)8—10米(mi),地表散見大量磚(zhuan)瓦(wa)、陶器殘(can)片和(he)(he)少量墓(mu)(mu)(mu)葬(zang)(zang)。
可乘火(huo)車、長(chang)途汽車前往觀光、考古,當地有(you)住(zhu)宿。粉(fen)皮(pi)面(mian)筋(jin)是(shi)當地的特(te)色美食。農民(min)秋(qiu)收后(hou),家(jia)家(jia)戶戶要晾(liang)腸(chang)粉(fen)皮(pi)面(mian)筋(jin)。一來(lai)秋(qiu)收后(hou)農閑;二來(lai)用新麥(mai)面(mian)做面(mian)筋(jin)質量好;三是(shi)因為馬蓮成(cheng)熟(shu)。可用來(lai)晾(liang)曬(shai)粉(fen)皮(pi)面(mian)筋(jin)。粉(fen)皮(pi)面(mian)筋(jin)的制(zhi)作過(guo)程較復雜(za),由白面(mian)加水拌(ban)和(he)揉洗,將洗出的淀粉(fen)加熱(re)煮沸(fei),放冷凝固,切片晾(liang)干(gan),即(ji)成(cheng)粉(fen)皮(pi)。剩下(xia)的面(mian)筋(jin)蒸熟(shu)或絡熟(shu)切片晾(liang)干(gan)即(ji)可。做好的粉(fen)皮(pi)面(mian)筋(jin),都用馬蓮絲(si)扎成(cheng)小(xiao)把,貯存起來(lai)。食用時用涼水臨時浸(jin)泡(pao),即(ji)可做湯、炒萊,又可加蔥末、蒜泥、辣椒油、鹽(yan)及醋(cu)等涼拌(ban)而食,冷熱(re)葷素隨人口味而制(zhi),方便實惠,風味獨(du)特(te)。
據(ju)史書記載和(he)學術考(kao)證(zheng),駱駝城為(wei)(wei)(wei)西(xi)漢(han)表是(shi)縣地(di)(di)震后(hou)(hou)(hou)前(qian)涼于距縣城西(xi)南20公(gong)(gong)(gong)里處新建(jian)(jian)(jian)(jian)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)治(zhi)所。西(xi)晉滅亡后(hou)(hou)(hou),割據(ju)河西(xi)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)前(qian)涼張氏政(zheng)(zheng)權為(wei)(wei)(wei)安置關(guan)內來投的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)難(nan)民,在(zai)駱駝城故(gu)址建(jian)(jian)(jian)(jian)郡(jun),并以(yi)(yi)東(dong)晉王(wang)朝都(dou)“建(jian)(jian)(jian)(jian)康(kang)(kang)”來命(ming)名,借此標榜效忠晉王(wang)室(shi)來爭取(qu)北方(fang)漢(han)人的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)支(zhi)持,成(cheng)為(wei)(wei)(wei)戰亂給駱駝城歷史烙下(xia)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)特殊印記。此后(hou)(hou)(hou)前(qian)涼于公(gong)(gong)(gong)元(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)376年(nian)被(bei)(bei)前(qian)秦(qin)所滅,建(jian)(jian)(jian)(jian)康(kang)(kang)郡(jun)首次(ci)易主(zhu)(zhu)。淝水(shui)之(zhi)戰前(qian)秦(qin)苻堅失敗后(hou)(hou)(hou),其大(da)將(jiang)呂光乘機(ji)占(zhan)領河西(xi)擁(yong)兵(bing)(bing)自立(li),次(ci)年(nian)又(you)鎮壓了以(yi)(yi)張大(da)豫、王(wang)穆為(wei)(wei)(wei)首的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)前(qian)涼殘余勢力(li)在(zai)建(jian)(jian)(jian)(jian)康(kang)(kang)郡(jun)舉行(xing)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)叛亂,并于公(gong)(gong)(gong)元(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)389年(nian)建(jian)(jian)(jian)(jian)立(li)后(hou)(hou)(hou)涼,委任參軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)段(duan)業(ye)為(wei)(wei)(wei)建(jian)(jian)(jian)(jian)康(kang)(kang)太守。第二年(nian),因呂光濫殺無辜,盧水(shui)胡(hu)人沮渠(qu)、蒙(meng)遜(xun)(xun)擁(yong)立(li)段(duan)業(ye)為(wei)(wei)(wei)主(zhu)(zhu),以(yi)(yi)建(jian)(jian)(jian)(jian)康(kang)(kang)郡(jun)為(wei)(wei)(wei)根據(ju)地(di)(di)糾(jiu)集各部族起(qi)兵(bing)(bing)反呂,四年(nian)后(hou)(hou)(hou)占(zhan)領張掖建(jian)(jian)(jian)(jian)立(li)北涼,使駱駝城成(cheng)為(wei)(wei)(wei)北涼政(zheng)(zheng)權的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)發(fa)祥地(di)(di)。沮渠(qu)、蒙(meng)遜(xun)(xun)自段(duan)業(ye)自稱涼王(wang)后(hou)(hou)(hou),為(wei)(wei)(wei)與(yu)西(xi)涼李(li)暠爭霸,于公(gong)(gong)(gong)元(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)405年(nian)增筑了建(jian)(jian)(jian)(jian)康(kang)(kang)郡(jun)城。在(zai)歷經北魏、北周(zhou)250年(nian)后(hou)(hou)(hou)至隋代被(bei)(bei)撤銷(xiao)建(jian)(jian)(jian)(jian)置降(jiang)稱福祿縣。唐(tang)武后(hou)(hou)(hou)證(zheng)圣(sheng)元(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)年(nian)(公(gong)(gong)(gong)元(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)695年(nian)),大(da)將(jiang)王(wang)孝(xiao)杰在(zai)此置建(jian)(jian)(jian)(jian)康(kang)(kang)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun),成(cheng)為(wei)(wei)(wei)甘、肅兩(liang)州之(zhi)間(jian)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)事重(zhong)鎮,郡(jun)與(yu)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)雖一字之(zhi)差,但(dan)反映出地(di)(di)方(fang)行(xing)政(zheng)(zheng)與(yu)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)事管制(zhi)兩(liang)種管理體制(zhi),軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)有大(da)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)、中(zhong)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)、小(xiao)(xiao)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)之(zhi)分(fen)。大(da)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)建(jian)(jian)(jian)(jian)置是(shi)萬人左右(you),中(zhong)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)五千(qian)(qian)人左右(you)、小(xiao)(xiao)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)三千(qian)(qian)人左右(you)。建(jian)(jian)(jian)(jian)康(kang)(kang)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)是(shi)中(zhong)等軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun),多時,屯兵(bing)(bing)五千(qian)(qian)三百人。唐(tang)大(da)歷元(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)年(nian)(公(gong)(gong)(gong)元(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)766年(nian)),建(jian)(jian)(jian)(jian)康(kang)(kang)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)被(bei)(bei)吐蕃攻陷(xian)后(hou)(hou)(hou),慘遭屠掠,后(hou)(hou)(hou)荒廢,從此淪為(wei)(wei)(wei)牧人晚(wan)間(jian)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)宿營地(di)(di),被(bei)(bei)當作(zuo)天然的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)駱駝圈(quan),風(feng)靡(mi)一時的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)故(gu)都(dou)由此得名駱駝城沿用至今。
神秘的(de)(de)(de)駱(luo)(luo)(luo)駝(tuo)城曾讓后人(ren)(ren)產生(sheng)了許多遐想。相傳,西夏王李元(yuan)昊在攻(gong)打由回鶻駱(luo)(luo)(luo)駝(tuo)王子鎮(zhen)守的(de)(de)(de)駱(luo)(luo)(luo)駝(tuo)城時,因城池堅(jian)固(gu)久攻(gong)不(bu)下,便(bian)命人(ren)(ren)用亂木、骷(ku)髏(lou)鎮(zhen)住了從山(shan)上流向(xiang)駱(luo)(luo)(luo)駝(tuo)城的(de)(de)(de)“臭門(men)泉(quan)”。斷水(shui)后駱(luo)(luo)(luo)駝(tuo)王子支持不(bu)住,以土丘水(shui)缸假制米(mi)山(shan)面嶺、油缸醋井來迷惑城外重兵,擺出誓(shi)同來敵一決死戰的(de)(de)(de)架勢,而在背后則(ze)調(diao)兵差(cha)民開挖了一條自城中(zhong)直通(tong)往(wang)今羅城紅(hong)寺坡(po)的(de)(de)(de)地(di)道(dao)。一個(ge)月(yue)黑風(feng)高的(de)(de)(de)夜晚,駱(luo)(luo)(luo)駝(tuo)王用餓馬(ma)搖(yao)鈴(ling)、懸(xuan)羊擂鼓的(de)(de)(de)手法掩敵耳(er)目,他自己則(ze)率(lv)領城中(zhong)軍民老少(shao)潛(qian)入地(di)道(dao)悄然遠遁。
解放(fang)后,考(kao)古(gu)(gu)工作者(zhe)在遺址內采集到了(le)大量(liang)的漢晉(jin)(jin)玉銖和唐開(kai)元(yuan)古(gu)(gu)幣(bi)及漢、魏(wei)晉(jin)(jin)銅印、箭鏃,城(cheng)南墓(mu)群出(chu)(chu)土的魏(wei)晉(jin)(jin)畫像(xiang)磚、猴形木(mu)印、漢晉(jin)(jin)紀年(nian)(nian)(nian)簡牘(du)、彩繪(hui)木(mu)馬(ma)、木(mu)板畫、木(mu)尺、西晉(jin)(jin)紀年(nian)(nian)(nian)彩帛(bo)旌銘(ming),五座窯出(chu)(chu)土的魏(wei)晉(jin)(jin)帛(bo)書等(deng)珍貴(gui)文(wen)物,為研究古(gu)(gu)代(dai)河西歷(li)史提供(gong)了(le)豐富(fu)直(zhi)觀(guan)的資料(liao)佐證,受到國家文(wen)物部門(men)的高度重視,多(duo)次出(chu)(chu)國展出(chu)(chu),在國際(ji)考(kao)古(gu)(gu)界(jie)引起強烈轟動。2002年(nian)(nian)(nian)8月(yue),甘肅省(sheng)考(kao)古(gu)(gu)研究所(suo)在北(bei)城(cheng)西南角進(jin)行考(kao)察性(xing)考(kao)古(gu)(gu)發掘(jue),發掘(jue)面積(ji)1000多(duo)平方米(mi)(mi)(mi),出(chu)(chu)土文(wen)物有唐代(dai)開(kai)元(yuan)通寶錢幣(bi)和方形蓮(lian)花紋(wen)地磚,據此(ci)判斷(duan)北(bei)城(cheng)上面地表為唐代(dai)文(wen)化(hua)層(ceng),并(bing)根據房屋柱(zhu)基被火焚(fen)燒的遺存推(tui)斷(duan),駱駝(tuo)城(cheng)的廢棄(qi),與一(yi)(yi)場大火有關(guan)。同(tong)時還(huan)發掘(jue)出(chu)(chu)一(yi)(yi)眼磚砌(qi)水井(jing),深5.7米(mi)(mi)(mi),表明在唐代(dai),駱駝(tuo)城(cheng)地表水位在5米(mi)(mi)(mi)左右,現駱駝(tuo)城(cheng)周圍(wei)打井(jing),出(chu)(chu)水層(ceng)在34米(mi)(mi)(mi)左右,地下水位在千余年(nian)(nian)(nian)歷(li)史過程中下降30米(mi)(mi)(mi)左右。地下水位逐(zhu)年(nian)(nian)(nian)下降,也與駱駝(tuo)城(cheng)的廢棄(qi)密(mi)切相關(guan)。
駱駝城位于高臺縣(xian)城西20公里處。始(shi)建于東晉陲安(an)元年,公元397年,是(shi)后涼建康郡太守段業另(ling)立年號建立的(de)北涼國(guo)國(guo)都(dou)。據(ju)《重修肅州(zhou)新志》記載(zai),駱駝城不(bu)但是(shi)北涼初建時(shi)的(de)國(guo)都(dou),而(er)且是(shi)漢代樂(le)涫縣(xian)、唐代建康軍的(de)故址。
駱駝城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)面(mian)積(ji)近30萬平方米(mi),分(fen)前、中、后三(san)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)。城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻基厚6米(mi),殘高7米(mi)。除東北角(jiao)外(wai),其它三(san)角(jiao)都筑(zhu)有長(chang)方形角(jiao)墩,前部城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)垣東、西(xi)、南三(san)面(mian)各開一門并(bing)筑(zhu)有甕城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng),內(nei)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)南垣正(zheng)中辟門并(bing)筑(zhu)甕城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)與外(wai)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)相通。全城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)布局合理,是遺(yi)存(cun)較完整的(de)漢(han)唐故城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)。
明代詩(shi)人沈青崖過高(gao)(gao)臺留詩(shi)道“榆木山前古建康,南郭風景繪屯莊。兩行(xing)(xing)高(gao)(gao)柳(liu)沙汀暗(an),一派平湖水稻(dao)香(xiang)。紫燕泥(ni)穿(chuan)曲巷,白鷗沖雨過橫(heng)塘。當年畫舸中(zhong)流處,談笑行(xing)(xing)兵(bing)寄羽觴”。這(zhe)首詩(shi)道出了當年故城周圍(wei)人丁興旺(wang),水清樹茂,阡陌(mo)縱橫(heng)的田(tian)野風光秀色(se)。