Why China – Bend the land to collect the voice of history in Xinjiang

Exploring the Ancient Silk Road: Tracing Millenia of Chinese Civilization

In mid-October, the archaeological work at the Badamu East Tomb Complex in Turpan is nearing completion. This site, located at the foot of the Flaming Mountains, has made numerous exciting discoveries over the past two years, including the tomb of Cheng Huan, a high-ranking official from the Tang Dynasty, and wooden land purchase certificates. These findings not only evidence the effective governance of the Tang central authority over the Western Regions but also highlight the profound cultural influences that the Central Plains had on this area.

In recent years, archaeologists have repeatedly presented findings from proactive excavations and investigations at archaeological conferences in Xinjiang. These reports have brought to light the remnants of ancient cities, settlements, burial grounds, and religious structures, continually echoing the stories of historical evolution within Xinjiang, a vital part of China’s multi-ethnic tapestry. This illustrates the shared efforts of various ethnic groups in shaping the vast nation and building a diverse yet unified Chinese identity.

Historical sites across Xinjiang bear witness to efficient governance throughout the centuries. Traces of military and agricultural management from the Tang Dynasty can be seen in the ancient city of Hami, while the remains of a “Yi Tian Yuan”—a charitable institution—at the Northern Pavilion site in Jimisar reflect the outreach of central governance. The abundance of documents found at the Suberskan site in Qemari showcases the vibrant administration of the Yuan Dynasty in the region, while the memorial stone at Zhao Su recounts the collective efforts of military personnel and civilians during the Qing Dynasty to maintain national unity.

These historical and cultural artifacts reinforce that Xinjiang has long been an inseparable part of China, providing critical insights into the formation of the Chinese national community. Recent surveys indicate that around 370 ancient sites dating from the pre-Qin Dynasty to the Ming and Qing dynasties have been discovered in Xinjiang, with approximately 250 from the Han to Tang periods. These excavations play a key role in substantial topics of research related to the governance systems in the Western Regions during various dynasties.

Guo Wu, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and the lead on the excavation project at the Northern Pavilion ruins, has dedicated over six years to the site. He emphasizes that the political, multifaceted cultural, and multi-ethnic attributes of these archaeological sites are particularly pronounced. Since the establishment of the Northern Pavilion Protectorate in the Tang Dynasty, this region has witnessed social stability, economic growth, and cultural prosperity under effective governance, fostering communication and integration among diverse ethnic groups.

As one travels along the banks of the Peacock River, a string of beacon towers known as the Peacock River Beacon Site Group—spanning approximately 150 kilometers between the ancient city of Korla and the Weiliying Tombs—can be found, including the renowned Kuyak Kuduk Beacon, recognized as one of the “Top Ten New Archaeological Discoveries” in 2021.

“The Kuyak Kuduk Beacon has yielded the largest collection of Tang Dynasty documents found at beacon sites in recent years, painting a rich picture of the political, military, economic, and cultural landscape under Tang governance in the Western Regions,” explains Hu Xingjun, a researcher at the Xinjiang Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology.

Today, more than 20 beacon towers still stand within a hundred kilometers of Hami’s ancient city, with the number exceeding a hundred across the region over varying historical periods. These cities and beacon towers worked hand in hand to ensure the safety and accessibility of the Silk Road, echoing descriptions found in historical texts.

As excavations progress, the National Cultural Heritage Administration’s Archaeological Research Center has begun drafting a protection plan for the Tokuzasalei site in Tumushuke City. This significant archaeological site, dating back to the Northern Dynasties to the Tang and Song periods, holds crucial strategic importance and offers valuable insights into the enduring governance of the Western Regions throughout history.

A Deep Recognition of Chinese Culture

High-status relics from the ancient city of Zhuerkut in Luntai reveal red lacquered wooden columns and tenon-and-mortise joints, while decorative flower-patterned bricks from a high-status Tang building have been uncovered at the ancient city of Urumqi. Notably, at the Badamu East Tomb complex, the tomb of Deputy Protector Cheng Huan is adorned with square stones inscribed in Chinese characters and painted figurines.

Xinjiang serves as a critical juncture for East-West cultural exchanges. Under successive effective governance from central authorities, the region’s diverse cultural exchanges with Central Plains culture have flourished continuously.

“The inscriptions we discovered in the Badamu East Tomb complex demonstrate that the character and techniques of calligraphy have remained deeply rooted in the character of Central Plains culture in this region,” says Chen Qiwen, a curator at the Turpan Cultural Relics Institute. Furthermore, the contents of these inscriptions, along with accompanying painted figurines, represent the customs of Central Plains society, vividly illustrating the deep cultural identifications of various ethnic groups with Chinese heritage.

From classical documents found at the Kuyak Kuduk Beacon, which express well-wishes and seasonal greetings, to letters discovered in the Qemari sands that begin with the humble salutation “Your humble servant Zhang You sends his greetings,” and Han documents from the Niya site showcasing aristocratic interactions, each artifact highlights the material and spiritual achievements of Chinese culture.

These wealth of cultural sites underscore that Xinjiang has historically embraced multiculturalism, yielding countless achievements that reflect the vibrant hues of Chinese civilization.

At the Tuyu Valley Caves site, approximately 20 kilometers from the Badamu East Tomb complex, archaeologists discovered a large official Buddhist monastery from the period of the Gaochang Uighurs, as well as numerous artifacts shedding light on daily life and operations within the monastery. These artifacts include gold and copper Buddhist statues, Buddhist scriptures in Chinese and Uighur, divination documents, loan contracts, and various writing materials. They vividly illustrate the dynamic cultural exchanges occurring among different ethnicities at the time.

The Fusion of Multiple Religions Highlights the Inclusiveness of Chinese Civilization

“In 2023, we were thrilled to discover six-toed wooden Buddha feet and a long-bearded Buddha statue at the Mor Temple site, emphasizing the diverse cultural influences on Buddhism as it spread in Xinjiang, with elements from Gandhara and the Central Plains,” shares Professor Xiao Xiaoyong from Minzu University of China, the lead on the Mor Temple archaeological project. The richness of Buddhist architecture and sculptural techniques found at this site offers invaluable material for studying cultural exchanges along the Silk Road and the evolution of Buddhist art.

Just five kilometers from the Mor Temple site lies the Han Nuo Yi site with a Buddhist stupa dating back to the Han and Jin periods. Its existence corroborates historical accounts of the popularity of Buddhism in the Shule area during the Wei and Jin dynasties and provides critical clues for understanding early Buddhist dissemination and localization in the Western Regions.

Recent excavations at sites such as the Qitai Tang Dynasty Dun site, the West Pang Jingjiao site in Turpan, the Tuyu Valley cave site, and the Subash Buddhist Temple have revealed a rich tapestry of evidence showcasing Xinjiang as a historical region of religious diversity. The coexistence of various religions underscores a historical trajectory where one or two predominant faiths existed alongside multiple others, illustrating the mainstream religious relations in Xinjiang characterized by mutual exchange and coexistence.

Prior to the 4th century B.C., Xinjiang was primarily home to indigenous religions, followed by the introduction of Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Taoism, Manichaeism, Nestorianism, Islam, and Catholicism over the centuries. More recent excavations have increasingly uncovered remnants of several faiths, including Buddhism and Nestorianism, across various cultural sites.

“In 2023, we uncovered approximately 15 square meters of Nestorian-themed murals on the walls of the monastery, featuring crosses and horsemen, showcasing classic Tang Dynasty style and confirming the presence of Nestorian churches here,” says Ren Guan, a faculty member at Renmin University of China and the archaeological project head for the Tang Dynasty Dun site.

Through years of continuous excavation at the Tang Dynasty Dun site, discoveries of bathhouse remnants, Buddhist vestiges, Nestorian artifacts, as well as inscriptions in Chinese, Uighur, and Syrian, highlight a diverse interplay of cultures and the coexistence of multiple faiths, emphasizing the inclusivity of Chinese civilization.

Crossing the Tianshan Mountains southward from the Tang Dynasty Dun site leads to another significant site of Nestorian heritage, the West Pang Jingjiao site in Turpan, which has seen several new findings in recent years.

Thanks to the region’s arid climate, Turpan has preserved a rich array of religious artifacts, including manuscripts in various languages. In 2023, archaeologists uncovered hundreds of Buddhist texts in Chinese, Daoist scriptures, and Nestorian documents in Syrian at the West Pang Jingjiao site. The coexistence of these artifacts underscores the mutual tolerance among diverse cultures in ancient Xinjiang.

“The mural themes, techniques, and pigment usage reflect the vibrant exchange of multi-civilizational influences in Xinjiang during that period,” states Liu Wenshuo, a professor at Sun Yat-sen University and head of the excavations at the West Pang Jingjiao site. This very spirit of cultural integration has endowed Xinjiang with profound cultural richness.

Cultural heritage serves as a vital source of cultural confidence, embodying the genes and bloodline of the Chinese nation. Currently, Xinjiang is home to 9,542 immovable cultural heritage sites, and the ongoing fourth national cultural relics survey will unveil many more ancient sites, beacon towers, military fortresses, graves, temples, relay stations, and smelting sites, along with the relics buried within. This work will support enhancing understanding of Chinese civilization’s history and foster the construction of modern Chinese civilization across diverse communities.