Changsha, Hunan Province — In the winter of 1942, amidst the turmoil of wartime China, grave robbers in Changsha unearthed an unexpected treasure. Breaking into an ancient tomb dating back to the Warring States period (475–221 B.C.), they seized artifacts including lacquerware, bronze swords, and a silk manuscript they dismissively called a “handkerchief.”
This “handkerchief” would later be identified as the renowned Chu Silk Manuscripts from Zidanku—the only known silk text from that period. Dating back over 2,300 years, more than a century older than the Dead Sea Scrolls, the manuscripts offer invaluable insights into early Chinese cosmology and rituals.
A Cultural Treasure Lost
Initially, the robbers sold their loot to Tang Jianquan, a local antiquities dealer who failed to recognize the silk’s significance. It changed hands several times before American collector John Hadley Cox, under the guise of assisting with photography, smuggled the manuscripts to the United States in 1946. The original owner, Cai Jixiang, was left powerless, having been deceived and left without recourse.
Tracing the Journey
For over four decades, Professor Li Ling of Peking University has meticulously traced the manuscripts’ path. His research connects the dots from their discovery in Changsha to their current residence at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art. Correspondence between Cai and Cox reveals the deception involved in the manuscripts’ removal.
At an international conference in June 2024, further evidence surfaced. Donald Harper, a professor at the University of Chicago, presented the original lid of the box used by Cox to store the manuscripts, strengthening the case for their provenance.
“We know exactly the provenance of the Zidanku Silk Manuscripts in such detail,” Professor Harper stated. “It should be obvious to museum curators and to cultural authorities that the Zidanku Silk Manuscripts belong to China and should be returned.”
An Unfulfilled Return
In 1966, American collector Arthur M. Sackler acquired part of the manuscripts. Recognizing their significance, he made several attempts to return them to China. Unfortunately, his plans were never realized due to various circumstances, including his passing in 1987.
“Dr. Sackler understood the significance of the Silk Manuscripts,” said Lothar von Falkenhausen, a professor at UCLA. “He realized that something this important should not be kept outside of the country of origin. I hope strongly that all the Silk Manuscripts will be speedily returned to China.”
Legal and Moral Imperatives
China has been actively working to recover lost artifacts. Under UNESCO’s 1970 Convention, signatory nations are obliged to return illegally transferred cultural properties. Since 2009, through cooperation with the United States, numerous artifacts have been repatriated to China.
The evidence is clear—from historical documents to scholarly research—the Chu Silk Manuscripts rightfully belong to China. As global awareness of cultural heritage preservation grows, the call for the manuscripts’ return has never been stronger.
A Homecoming Awaited
After nearly eight decades abroad, the ancient manuscripts await their journey home. Their return would not only rectify a historical injustice but also enrich the cultural legacy for future generations.
