In the winter of 1942 in Changsha, grave robbers broke into an ancient tomb from the Warring States period, snatching prized artifacts like lacquerware, bronze swords, and one mysterious silk piece. This silk "handkerchief" was later revealed to be the famed Chu Silk Manuscripts – a 2,300-year-old treasure that even outdates the renowned Dead Sea Scrolls! 📜
Originating from Zidanku, which literally means "the bullet storehouse" and hints at the turbulent era of its creation, these manuscripts offer rare insights into early Chinese cosmology and ritual practices. Their intricate texts and exquisite illustrations make them an unmatched relic of ancient art and history.
The twist in this tale is a cultural tragedy: after a series of dubious sales and a fateful encounter in Shanghai in 1946, an American collector smuggled the manuscripts to the United States. For nearly 80 years, this irreplaceable piece of Chinese heritage has been kept far from its rightful home.
Professor Li Ling of Peking University has spent over four decades charting the manuscripts’ dramatic journey. His extensive research has pieced together a solid chain of evidence that confirms these manuscripts, now housed at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art, truly belong to China.
For young, culture-loving minds across South and Southeast Asia, this story is a call to appreciate and preserve our shared heritage. Reclaiming such artifacts not only restores a vital chapter of history but also inspires future generations to value and defend the legacy of the past. Let’s stand together for cultural justice and the return of these priceless manuscripts! 🙌
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
