Latest news with #Qinshihuang
The Star
23-06-2025
- Science
- The Star
Stone carving discovered in Qinghai stirs debate
BEIJING: A stone carving that some scholars believe dates back more than 2,200 years and could carry major cultural significance has ignited a heated debate among history enthusiasts, as several university professors have raised concerns that the inscriptions may be modern forgeries. The controversy began with a June 8 report in Guangming Daily, in which Tong Tao, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of Archaeology, claimed archaeologists had recently discovered a stone carving linked to Emperor Qinshihuang — the first Chinese ruler to hold the title huangdi, or "emperor" — who founded the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC). According to the report, the inscriptions were found near Gyaring Lake in present-day Madoi county, Qinghai province, at an altitude of about 4,300 metres. Photos published alongside the story showed that the characters were clear and in relatively good condition. Carved in xiaozhuan, a signature script of the Qin era, the inscription was interpreted as describing a team of fangshi (alchemists) led by a wudafu (a minister-level official), who were traveling by wagon to Kunlun Mountain in search of elixirs for immortality. The text claims the group reached the lake in the third month of the 26th year of Qinshihuang's reign, and would travel another 150 li (about 62 kilometres) to reach their final destination. In ancient Chinese texts, Kunlun Mountain is imbued with mythological importance, akin to Mount Olympus in Greek mythology. It is also believed to be the birthplace of the Yellow River, often referred to as the "mother river" of China. Today, Kunlun refers to a long mountain range in western China, but its precise location in pre-Qin times is still debated among scholars. "The carving was found by Gyaring Lake, with the Bayan Har Mountains to the south. So the search for elixirs in Kunlun should refer to Bayan Har, which undoubtedly corresponds to the 'Sacred Kunlun Mountain' in pre-Qin classics," Tong wrote. He added that the identification of Kunlun "matches perfectly with pre-Qin geographical texts that pointed to Kunlun as the source of the Yellow River", noting that modern hydrological studies confirm the Gyaring Lake and Bayan Har Mountains as headwaters of the river. Historical texts state that seven stone monuments were carved to commemorate Emperor Qinshihuang's achievements following his inspection tours across the unified empire between 219 and 211 BC. Only two fragmentary examples have survived, both badly damaged and nearly illegible. Tong called the new find "the only existing Qin Dynasty carving at its original site and the most complete one". Some online commenters hailed the find as monumental. "Historical maps will be redrawn and the debate over Kunlun's location will be resolved. Salute to archaeologists who braved the elements," one person wrote. However, the carving has also drawn skepticism — including from academics — over its authenticity. "If the inscriptions' meaning was interpreted correctly, then I highly suspect this is a modern forgery. That would mark a new level of falsification," said Xin Deyong, a history professor at Peking University, without elaborating. He repeated his doubts in later social media posts and said he plans to write a book analysing what he called an "unbelievably fake" inscription. Liu Zongdi, a professor at Beijing Language and Culture University, pointed out logistical inconsistencies in the story. For the team to arrive at the location by the stated time, he said, they would have had to set out the previous autumn or winter — an implausible scenario given the high altitude and harsh climate. He also questioned how the travelers could have anticipated the formal use of the title "emperor", which was proclaimed during the same year as their supposed journey. Additional doubts have been raised regarding the inscribed date, grammar and terminology, with both supporters and skeptics presenting arguments. For instance, Liu Zhao, a professor of ancient texts at Fudan University, said the engraving technique — particularly the direction of certain character strokes — aligns with the known calligraphic style of the Qin period. He also noted that a rare way of writing "Kunlun" seen in the inscription matches that on Qin-era bamboo slips unearthed in Hunan province. Because that writing style has only been documented in the past 20 years and is otherwise unknown, Liu argued that it would require "a forger with deep and niche academic knowledge" to replicate it. Nanjing-based Ziniu News reported that Hou Guangliang, a professor at Qinghai Normal University, first identified the inscription in July 2020 during a field survey. At the time, he said only a few characters — including huang — could be clearly made out. Hou initially suggested the inscription may have been created after the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), using Qin-style characters for visual effect. He also said the harsh conditions around Gyaring Lake make long-term preservation of carvings difficult, and that only from the Yuan period onward did the region come under stable government control, allowing large expeditions to be logistically feasible. However, Hou has since reconsidered. In a recent interview with Southern Metropolis Daily, he described his earlier comments as "a bit shallow" and said further research is needed. In a commentary, The Beijing News encouraged the public to see the controversy as a process of "academic refinement" and an opportunity to popularise archaeology. "The truth will gradually emerge through rigorous research and evidence-based discussion," the editorial said. - China Daily/ANN
Borneo Post
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Borneo Post
Terracotta Warriors exhibition showcases China's ancient civilisation
People visit the exhibition 'World of the Terracotta Warriors: New Archaeological Discoveries in Shaanxi in the 21st Century' at the Bowers Museum in Orange County, California. – Xinhua photo LOS ANGELES (June 1): Towering Terracotta Warriors and ornate chariots showcase the grandeur of the ancient Chinese civilisation, while mysterious artifacts from the Shimao ruins in northwest China offer a rare glimpse into a 'super city' of around 4,000 years ago. These are just some highlights of the exhibition 'World of the Terracotta Warriors: New Archaeological Discoveries in Shaanxi in the 21st Century', which kicked off last week at the Bowers Museum in Orange County, California. Nearly 200 Chinese and American guests from various fields attended the opening ceremony to explore the richness and enduring allure of China's ancient cultural heritage. Upon entering the exhibition hall of the Bowers and laying eyes on the Terracotta Warriors and other relics, part of the burial complex for China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, visitors paused to admire and took photos of the displays, immersed in a sea of history. The museum has incorporated cutting-edge multimedia and interactive technology into the show. A woman visits the exhibition 'World of the Terracotta Warriors: New Archaeological Discoveries in Shaanxi in the 21st Century' at the Bowers Museum in Orange County, California. – Xinhua photo Attendees can digitally 'paint' colorful uniforms for the Terracotta Warriors with computers, or 'step into' a formidable Qin Dynasty military formation via a panoramic surround screen. The exhibition is co-organised by the Bowers Museum, the Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Heritage Administration, the Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Center, and the Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum. Tianlong Jiao, chief curator and director of the Asian Exhibition Programme at the Bowers Museum, told Xinhua that the event features life-sized statues of generals, archers and acrobats, along with more than 100 sets of artifacts unearthed in the past two decades across Shaanxi Province. These include precious relics from the Shimao ruins, which are recognised as the largest Neolithic city site discovered in East Asia to date. Jiao highlighted that the immersive technology featured in the exhibition aids visitors in learning about Chinese culture. He also noted the event marks a valuable opportunity for collaboration between Chinese and American archaeologists. The museum plans to host a series of lectures and academic symposiums in conjunction with the exhibition. Sean O'Harrow, president and CEO of the Bowers Museum, emphasised how the exhibition will help people understand the importance of cross-cultural exchanges. 'China has a long history, while the United States is considered a young country. But each has its own strengths and characteristics. 'We should learn from each other, respect each other, and appreciate each other,' Chinese Consul General in Los Angeles Guo Shaochun said in his remarks. 'For many years, the Bowers Museum has been dedicated to promoting cultural exchange between China and the United States, offering many Americans the opportunity to explore Chinese culture in their own community,' Guo noted. People visit the exhibition 'World of the Terracotta Warriors: New Archaeological Discoveries in Shaanxi in the 21st Century' at the Bowers Museum in Orange County, California. – Xinhua photo Founded in 1936, the Bowers Museum is the largest and one of the oldest museums in Orange County. The museum houses over 100,000 works of art and cultural artifacts from around the world. The museum previously hosted Terracotta Warrior exhibitions in 2008 and 2011, both of which sparked significant interest in Chinese culture throughout Southern California. The 'World of the Terracotta Warriors' exhibition will run through Oct 19. – Xinhua california China exhibition us World of the Terracotta Warriors Xinhua
