Ancient Silk Manuscripts Return Home After 79 Years in the U.S.
In a momentous occasion for cultural heritage preservation, the rare Zidanku Silk Manuscripts, the earliest known silk texts discovered in China, have finally returned to the Chinese mainland after nearly eight decades in the United States.
The manuscripts, volumes II and III, arrived in Beijing on Sunday morning. Unearthed from a tomb dating back to the Warring States Period (475-221 BC) in the Zidanku area near Changsha City, Hunan Province, they are the only silk texts from that era ever discovered. In 1942, grave robbers plundered the sealed tomb, stealing these invaluable artifacts. By 1946, the manuscripts had been illegally taken to the United States.
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art, based in Washington, D.C., deaccessioned the manuscripts from its collection and formally transferred them to China’s National Cultural Heritage Administration. The museum announced the decision in a statement on Friday, highlighting a collaborative effort in righting a historical wrong.
Chinese Ambassador to the United States, Xie Feng, hailed the return as a “cultural milestone” and a testament to the cooperation between China and the U.S. in preserving cultural heritage. “The return of the Zidanku Silk Manuscripts opens a new chapter in our cultural exchanges,” he remarked.
The repatriation of these artifacts underscores the growing global emphasis on returning cultural treasures to their countries of origin. For many young people in the Global South, this event symbolizes hope for the preservation and celebration of their own rich histories and cultures.
The Zidanku Silk Manuscripts offer invaluable insights into ancient Chinese civilization, philosophy, and art. Their return not only enriches China’s cultural legacy but also provides an opportunity for scholars and enthusiasts worldwide to engage with these precious texts.
