Gone Medieval The Silk Road: Where Cultures Collided
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Oct 8, 2024 Mélodie Doumy, a curator at the British Library, shares insights from the Dunhuang exhibition, revealing the vibrant life along the Silk Road. Discover how Dunhuang evolved from a military outpost to a cultural haven, fostering diverse religious and artistic expressions. The fascinating exploration of women in Buddhism highlights their roles in building communities. The discussion also features the significance of the Diamond Sutra, the first printed book, showcasing its spiritual power and influence. Join this journey through time, cultures, and legacies!
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Discovery of Dunhuang Documents
- The Dunhuang documents were found in the Mogao Caves near Dunhuang, China, in 1900.
- Explorer Aurel Stein acquired many of these manuscripts and artifacts in 1907, bringing them to the UK and later to the British Library.
Silk Road of Ideas
- The Silk Road wasn't just about trading goods like silk, but also about exchanging ideas.
- The Dunhuang documents reveal a vibrant mix of cultures, religions, and knowledge transfer.
Zoroastrianism in China
- Zoroastrian texts were found among the Dunhuang documents, indicating a Zoroastrian presence in Northwest China.
- One text, the Yasna Haptanhaiti, is 400 years older than other surviving Zoroastrian scriptures.