Journal "Silk Road" - Volume 4-8 - 2006-2010

Цитата:

The Silk Road, Vol. 4, No. 2 (Winter 2006-2007)

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CONTENTS

From the Editor 1

News from Ancient Afghanistan,
by Nicholas Sims-Williams 5

During the last fifteen years or so many inscriptions and documents have come to light in Afghanistan. This article draws attention to the most important new discoveries, which include material covering all periods from the 4th century B.C. to the 8th century C.E., concentrating in particular on a group of 7th-8th century Bactrian documents from the kingdom of Gozgan (Juzjan).

Bamiyan 2006: The Fifth Excavation Campaign of Prof. Tarzi's Mission, by Zemaryalai Tarzi 10

A report on the 2006 excavation season at Bamiyan, carried out by the team of the Dégation Archéogique Françse en Afghanistan under the supervision of Professor Zemaryalai Tarzi. The excavations devoted particular attention to the sites of the Royal City and the Eastern Monastery, uncovering in the former what appear to have been workshops for glass production, and in the latter the remains of several stupas, some containing reliquaries.

Balkh and the Plains of Turkestan, by Frank Harold, with photographs by Ruth Harold 27

An introduction to Balkh, Mazar-i Sharif and Tashkurgan, with a description of these historic cities in Afghanistan as they appeared in 1970. Balkh was one of the important political and commercial sites along the Silk Road; Mazar-i Sharif is known today especially its shrine to the venerated Shiite religious figure Hazrat Ali.

Further Evidence for the Interpretation of the 'Indian Scene' in the Pre-Islamic Paintings at Afrasiab (Samarkand),
by Matteo Compareti 32

Among the most famous Sogdian sites from the seventh century CE is Afrasiab, on the outskirts of Samarkand, where in the 1960s a structure containing an elaborate mural was discovered. The interpretation of this painting, which seems to depict official ceremonies involving the Sogdian ruler Varkhuman, is a matter of substantial disagreement among scholars. This article focuses in particular on the images on the north wall of the room, where, as the author argues, there is substantial evidence to connect the imagery with the Indian ashvamedha ceremony.

Mapping Early Buddhist Sites in Western Tibet: Recent Findings from Tsamda County, China,
by Karl E. Ryavec 43

The historic sites in Western Tibet are still little known, and many of them are only now in the process of being located. This article is a preliminary report on the results of a project to map the sites in a way that may serve as the basis for further exploration to discover yet others. Among the discoveries so far are striking early Buddhist sculpture and murals in Buddhist cave temples.

Han Lacquerware and the Wine Cups of Noin Ula, by François Louis 48

The abundant finds of Han Chinese lacquer work in Xiongnu graves have yet to be systematically analyzed. This article provides a preliminary analysis of such evidence, the focus being lacquered cups, some of which were uncovered as early as the 1920s in the excavations at Noin Ula in northern Mongolia and others excavated as recently as 2005 in the Tamir River Valley. The evidence is of considerable interest for documenting Han-Xiongnu relations and helping to establish the chronology of the graves.

Trade and Commerce on the Silk Road after the End of Mongol Rule in China, Seen from Chinese Texts, by Ralph Kauz 54
Although popular perceptions of the Silk Road exchange across Eurasia see it ending with the disintegration of the Mongol Empire, there is substantial evidence of continuing Chinese exchange with Central and Western Asia throughout the Ming period-that is, right down to the 17th century. Ming relations with the Timurids were particularly intense in the late 14th and first half of the 15th centuries. This article documents this interaction, paying particular attention to the evidence contained in the Chinese sources, some of which may pertain not to official missions but to 'fake embassies.'

Hunting Hounds along the Silk Road-Which Way Did They Go?,
by Sir Terence Clark 60

Among the more interesting aspects of exchange across Eurasia is the history of domesticated animals. The development and uses of specialized breeds is the subject of ongoing research such as that contained in this article. The author is contributing to the tracing of hunting dogs (especially those related to the Saluki) across Eurasia. Part travelogue, this article relates his search for evidence about the continuing breeding of indigenous species in the territories of former Soviet Central Asia and in Western Xinjiang.

A Thousand Years on the Silk Road: Epic Poetry and Music from the Kyrgyz Republic,
by Rysbai Isakov, Akylbek Kasabolotov, and Helen Faller 65

An interview with Kyrgyz epic singers Rysbai Isakov and Akylbek Kasabolotov, in connection with their 2006 tour in the United States as part of the Kyrygz Cultural Performances Project. They talk about their training and understanding of their art and offer their impressions of America.

Цитата:

The Silk Road, Vol. 5, No. 1 (Summer 2007)

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CONTENTS

From the Editor's Desktop: Richthofen's "Silk Roads": Toward the Archaeology of a Concept 1

On the 130th anniversary of Ferdinand von Richthofen's publication of the term "The Silk Road" (Seidenstrasse), this article examines what he actually meant, which is both narrower and broader than what many subsequently have assumed.

Georgia: A Culinary Crossroads, by Darra Goldstein 11

The culinary history of Georgia is especially rich and varied, thanks to the country's natural abundance and its location at a crossroads of cultural and political interaction in western Asia. Georgian food is an important component of national identity and is celebrated in literature and the arts. The article includes several wonderful recipes.

Food, Medicine and the Silk Roads: The Mongol-era Exchanges, by Paul D. Buell 22

The Mongol Empire made possible an unprecedented level of cultural exchange across Eurasia. Among the to date least well known aspects of this is culinary exchange and connection with the spread of medical knowledge. Texts preserved in China document vividly the Yuan-era acquisition of information from the Islamic Middle East. The court cuisine of the Mongol rulers drew upon a wide range of spices and recipes; there is good reason to believe that the famous Blue and White porcelain became a sought-after commodity because it was ideally suited to the new imperial cuisine.

In Search of Mongolian Barbecue,
by Debra McCown 36

Today's enthusiasts for barbecue will travel far to enjoy its delights, as did the author in discovering what real Mongolian barbecue (hodog and boodog) is. The labor-intensive process of preparing this traditional food reveals a great deal about Mongolian culture today.

Investigation of a Xiongnu Royal Complex in the Tsaraam Valley. Part 2: The Inventory of Barrow No. 7 and the Chronology of the Site, by Sergei S. Miniaev and Lidiia M. Sakharovskaia 44

This article expands on the report published previously in The Silk Road concerning the excavation of a major elite tomb in Buriatiia, just north of the border with Mongolia. Among the finds were a Han bronze mirror, which had been ritually broken into several pieces, a Chinese chariot, largely painted in lacquer, and several "dolls" which each were provided with a varied burial inventory. The article concludes with a summary of the evidence about the date of the burial complex.

A Chinese Inscription from a Xiongnu Elite Barrow in the Tsaraam Cemetery, by Michèle Pirazzoli-t'Serstevens 56
One of the finds in Tsaraam Barrow No. 7 was the remains of a lacquered box with a Chinese inscription. Its text suggests that the box had been made in the Imperial workshop in Chang'an and probably should be dated to the very end of the former Han period.

On Ancient Tracks in Eastern Anatolia,
by Frank Harold, with photographs by Ruth Harold 59

The rich history of eastern Anatolia often escapes the tourist gaze, since the region is somewhat off the beaten track. Yet the network of routes and the striking evidence of commercial centers and the region's important political and cultural traditions merit attention.

Dzchingis Khan und seine Erben (Chingis Khan and His Legacy),
reviewed by Florian Schwarz 66

This impressive exhibit catalogue covers a lot of Mongolia's history but has a particular focus on the new discoveries about the urban history of the Mongol empire.

Conference Report: Marking the Centenary of Dunhuang, by Daniel Waugh 68

A report on two conferences held in London in May 2007 to mark the centenary of Aurel Stein's discovery of the riches in Mogao Cave No. 17. The conferences offered a broad range on papers on the current status of "Dunhuang studies" and on the projects which now are making the material available and preserving it for future generations.

Upcoming programs 73

Цитата:

The Silk Road, Vol. 5, No. 2 (Winter 2008)

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CONTENTS

From the Editor's Desktop: Beyond the Sensational: The Reiss-Engelhorn-Museums' "Origins of the Silk Road" 1

A review of the excellent exhibition of archaeological treasures from Xinjiang on display in Mannheim, Germany until June 1, 2008. Of particular interest are the numerous textiles and more generally the artifacts of daily life.

The 'Silk Roads' Concept Reconsidered: About Transfers: Transportation and Transcontinental Interactions in Prehistory,
by Hermann Parzinger 7

Recent archaeological finds in Eurasia are documenting the existence of significant transcontinental exchange well prior to the traditional "beginnings of the Silk Roads." An important component of this exhange is to be connected with the Bronze Age Andronovo Culture in the first half of the 2nd millennium BCE. For the Iron Age in the first millennium BCE, some of the evidence is in the striking discoveries from Scythian burials of southern Siberia.

The Dream and the Glory: Integral Salvage of the Nanhai No. 1 Shipwreck and Its Significance,
by Xu Yongjie 16

The recent recovery of the Nanhai No. 1 (South China Sea No. 1) shipwreck off the coast of Guangdong Province is a landmark in Chinese marine archaeology. The "integral salvage" of this wreck, dating from the late Song Dynasty and containing a cargo of porcelain, means that the detailed archaeological work can be carried out in controlled conditions in the new Marine Silk Road Museum.

The Byzantine Element in the Turkic Gold Cup with the Tiger Handle Excavated at Boma, Xinjiang,
by Lin Ying 20

The striking find of early Turk Empire gold objects at Boma in the Ili Valley region of western Xinjiang in 1997 included a jewel-encrusted cup with an attached handle cast in the form of a tiger. The likely origin of this handle was the Byzantine Empire, since there was a tradition in late Roman times of the making of such feline handles for precious metalwork, and they then could have been taken to the Turks as part of the diplomatic exchange of the 6th and 7th centuries. The Turks were important contributors to exchange along the silk roads.

Xiongnu Elite Tomb Complexes in the Mongolian Altai: Results of the Mongol-American Hovd Archaeology Project, 2007,
by Bryan K. Miller, Jamsranjav Bayarsaikhan, Tseveendorj Egimaa, and Christine Lee 27

A report on the project at Tahiltin-hotgor cemetery co-sponsored by the Silkroad Foundation and the National Museum of Mongolian History. A large ramped tomb was excavated and, perhaps of greater interest, several satellite burials and ritual lines connected with tomb complexes. The material is important for extending our understanding of the Xiongnu in an area away from the political center of their polity. By paying close attention to the satellite features of elite burials, we can learn a great deal about ritual and society.

Excavation of a Xiongnu Satellite Burial,
by Jessieca Jones and Veronica Joseph 36

A description of the excavation of the Satellite burial THL-25-2 at Tahiltin-hotgor cemetery, which contained the well-preserved remains of a man buried with a number of interesting artifacts.

The Tahilt Region: A Preliminary Archaeological Survey of the Tahilt Surroundings to Contextualize the Tahilt Cemeteries,
by James T. Williams 42

The survey of about a 40 square km area containing the Tahiltin-hotgor cemetery and many other sites dating from the Palaeolithic to the Turk periods. The article discusses survey methodology and provides an overview of the results.

Food as Culture: The Kazakh Experience,
by Alma Kunanbaeva 48

Food, its preparation, and the social practices surrounding its consumption provide important insights into central cultural concepts of the Kazakhs. The article discusses the food traditions and provides as well practical guidance in the preparation of some Kazakh recipes.

Цитата:

The Silk Road, Vol. 6, No. 1 (Summer 2008)

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CONTENTS

From the Editor's Desktop: Museums, Entrepreneurship and the Politics of Cultural Identity 2
Some thoughts inspired by visiting Silk Road museums in western China.

China and Islamic Civilization: Exchange of Techniques and Scientific Ideas,
by George Saliba 9

There is a long and varied history of exchanges between the Islamic world and China. Why was it that there was exchange of technologies but little borrowing in either direction of scientific thought?

Caravan Routes of Iran,
by Frank Harold, with photographs by Ruth Harold 17

One of the most important segments of the silk roads traversed today's Iran. Here we obtain a sense of the human and physical geography and what the traveler along these same routes can still see today.

Some Buddhist Finds from Khotan: Materials in the Collections of the State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg,
by Julia Elikhina 28

The State Hermitage Museum contains one of the largest and most varied collections of Silk Road material anywhere in the world. As this description of objects from its sizeable collection of material from Khotan, obtained by the Russian Consul in Kashgar Nikolai Petrovskii, demonstrates, this material deserves to be much better known.

The Buddhist Monuments of Adjina-tepa,
by Vera Fominikh 38

The small, but important 7th-century Buddhist monastery at Adjina-tepa in southern Tajikistan contains important evidence for the history of Buddhist art in Central Asia. The site is best known for its large statue of the buddha in Nirvana, which the author of this article restored for mounting in the National Museum in Dushanbe.

Mediating the Power of the Dharma: the Mongols' Approaches to Reviving Buddhism in Mongolia,
by Vesna A. Wallace 44

Buddhism was decimated by the anti-religious policies of Mongolia's Communist regime, but has experienced a rapid revival since the end of Communist rule there. There are important challenges connected with the intersection of religion and politics and with the spread of other religions in Mongolia today.

Tricky Representations: Buddhism in the Cinema during Socialism in Mongolia,
by Manduhai Buyandelger 54

The cinema was an important tool for the Communist regime's effort in Mongolia to create a Socialist society. Yet to use film in order to undermine Buddhism was not an easy task in a situation where, according to official policy, religion had been eradicated. The examples here are two films: Tsogt Taij and Awakening (Serelt)

The Tea Horse Road,
by Jeff Fuchs 63

The trade routes across Eurasia and the products carried on them were many. One of the most important routes historically flourished because of the export of tea from southwest China to Tibet and India. The author retraced the entire route in an epic 8-month journey.

Цитата:

The Silk Road, Vol. 6, No. 2 (Winter/Spring 2009)

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CONTENTS

From the editor's desktop 2

Korea and the Silk Roads,
by Staffan Rosén 3

The connections of Korea with the Silk Road often have been ignored. Objects buried in Korean tombs, especially those of the Silla Dynasty period, indicate important connections between the Korean peninsula and the cultures to the north and west. In particular there is evidence of connections with shamanistic traditions of peoples in North Asia. Also, there are imported objects such as glassware from West Asia.

Alexander the Great and the Emergence of the Silk Road,
by Yang Juping 15

It is common in explaining the origin of the Silk Road to cite the initiatives of Han Emperor Wudi, who sent his envoy Zhang Qian to the west in the 2nd century BCE. This article argues that the conquests of Alexander the Great in the 4th century BCE and the consequent spread of Hellenistic culture to the East were of equal significance in preparing the way for the opening of the Silk Roads.

Centaurs on the Silk Road: Recent Discoveries of Hellenistic Textiles in Western China,
by Robert A. Jones 23

Among the spectacular archaeological finds of recent decades in the Tarim Basin are wool textiles, some of which are decorated with Hellenistic motifs. This article explores the possible connections of two such finds, from Sampul and from Yingpan. The focus is on the artistic analogies in the Hellenistic West.

Dialogue among the Civilizations: the Origin of the Three Guardian Deities' Images in Cave 285, Mogao Grottoes,
by Zhang Yuanlin 33

Mogao Cave 285 at Dunhuang is known for its complex “multi-cultural” imagery. The author argues that key imagery on the west wall of the cave (in particular the depictions of sun and moon deities and of Maheshvara) and some of the donor identifications point to possible Sogdian involvement in the decoration of the cave.

Eighteen Songs of a Nomad Flute: Possible Religious Symbolism within the Late-Song Paintings,
by Lauren Arnold 49

The Eighteen Songs of a Nomadic Flute concern the tragic tale of a Han princess who was taken captive by the Xiongnu, raised a family among them, and then had to leave her family behind and return to China. This episode was the subject of paintings, whose dates have been disputed. The author argues for a date in the middle of the 13th century, at a time when in China details of nomadic culture would have been well known and when a presence of Eastern Christians among the Inner Asian nomads might help explain why cross motifs are to be found in the carpets the paintings depict.

Shrine Pilgrimage among the Uighurs,
by Rahilä Dawut 56

Pilgrimage to Islamic shrines is an important feature of Uighur culture in southern Xinjiang. The author describes a range of such shrines and explains the specifics of worship at them. She emphasizes the likely connection of the Islamic shrines and worship with pre-Islamic shamanistic and Buddhist beliefs in the same regions.

Цитата:

The Silk Road, Vol. 7 (Autumn 2009)

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CONTENTS

From the editor's desktop: Paths Less Trodden
by Daniel Waugh 2

New research on nomads, mobility and routes, presented in recent publications, raises interesting questions about the future direction of ‘Silk Road studies.’

Xiongnu Constituents of the High Mountains: Results of the Mongol-American Khovd Archaeology Project, 2008,
by Bryan Miller, Jamsranjav Bayarsaikhan, Prokopy B. Konovalov, Tseveendorj Egiimaa, Judy Logan, and Michelle Machicek 8

The excavations of the Mongol-American Khovd Archaeology Project in 2008 at the Shombuuziin-belchir cemetery revealed a range of interesting evidence about Xiongnu burial practices thanks to the excellent preservation of organic material and the fact that some graves at the site had not been looted.

On the Chronology of the Noyon uul Barrows,
by Sergei S. Miniaev and Julia Elikhina 21

The authors review the evidence regarding the dating of the Xiongnu cemeteries at Noyon uul mountain in northern Mongolia, which is among the best known of Xiongnu sites. The evidence from inscriptions on lacquerware and silk, from a Chinese mirror fragment and from C-14 dating suggests that the cemeteries can be no earlier than the end of the1st century BCE and probably date to the 1st century CE. This dating is later than what many have assumed for the ‘Xiongnu cultural complex.’

Chinese Lacquerware from Noyon uul: Some Problems of Manufacturing and Distribution,
by Michèle Pirazzoli-t’Serstevens 31

Among the important datable objects in the Noyon uul graves is Chinese lacquerware, some with inscriptions. The article focuses on the inscriptions on two eared cups and the technique of a lacquered box to determine date, provenance and practices of distribution of these valuable objects.

The Tomb of the Sogdian Master Shi: Insights into the Life of a Sabao,
by Albert E. Dien 42

One of the most important recent discoveries concerning the activity of Sogdians in China is the 6th-century tomb of a Master Shi, located at Xi’an. The bi-lingual (Chinese and Sogdian) epitaph and the carved illustrations of scenes from his life provide important biographical data for this leader (sabao) of the Sogdian community. The article offers a new interpretation of this evidence.

Buddhism in Mongolia Today: Introduction,
by Zsuzsa Majer and Krisztina Teleki 51

Continuation or Disjuncture with the Past and the Tibetan Buddhist Tradition,
by Zsuzsa Majer 52

Part of a larger project to document the recent history and present state of Mongolian Buddhism, this article reviews some of the challenges to the revival of the faith after the period of its destruction in the mid-20th century. Of particular significance is the question of monastic recruitment and education.

Building on Ruins, Memories and Persistence: Revival and Survival of Buddhism in the Mongolian Countryside,
by Krisztina Teleki 64

This report from the project on Mongolian Buddhism focuses on its survival in the countryside and the challenges of its restoration there, which are even greater than those experienced in the capital Ulaanbaatar.

On the Road: Over the High Passes,
by Frank Harold, with photographs by Ruth Harold 74

In another of the author’s series describing and relating travel along the historic routes in Eurasia, the focus here is on the main passages through the Central Asian mountains: the Tien Shan, the Pamirs, the Karakoram and the Himalayas.

Цитата:

The Silk Road, Vol. 8 (2010)

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CONTENTS

From the editor's desktop 3

Images from Ancient Iran: Selected Treasures from the National Museum in Tehran. A photographic essay., 4

Ancient Uighur Mausolea Discovered in Mongolia,
by Ayudai Ochir, Tserendorj Odbaatar, Batsuuri Ankhbayar, and Lhagwasüren Erdenebold 16

The archaeology of Uighur period sites in Mongolia (8th-9th centuries) is advancing rapidly. The article describes the results of excavations at several Uighur cemeteries, which feature structures known as durvuljin and where burials are often in chamber tombs, at least one of which to date contains some mural paintings.

The Hydraulic Systems in Turfan (Xinjiang),
by Arnaud Bertrand 27

The irrigation systems in oases along the Silk Road are a subject of great interest. For the important Turfan oasis, there have been misunderstandings about the introduction of the system of underground karez (qanat) channels to tap the ground water coming from the neighboring mountains. The “hydraulic specialists” employed various techniques and drew upon the local excavation and construction experience in developing the karez, which was hardly an original invention of the region.

New Evidence about Composite Bows and their Arrows in Inner Asia,
by Michaela R. Reisinger 42

Well-preserved remains of bows and their arrows from recent excavations of Xiongnu burials in western Mongolia expand our knowledge of the construction and use of these weapons. The article is illustrated with many photographs and drawings of the finds and charts comparing them with finds from other locations in Inner Asia.

An Experiment in Studying the Felt Carpet from Noyon uul by the Method of Polypolarization,
by V. E. Kulikov, E. Iu. Mednikova, Iu. I. Elikhina, and S. S. Miniaev 63

A new method of illumination which great enhances image quality in micro-photography has enabled the authors to determine with some certainty that the famous felt carpet from Noyon uul barrow no. 6 was created using camel hair.

The Old Curiosity Shop in Khotan,
by Daniel C. Waugh and Ursula Sims-Williams 69

Photographs taken by the British Consul at Kashgar, Clarmont P. Skrine, when visiting Khotan in 1922 help document the activities of one of the key local purveyors of antiquities, Badruddin Khan. The article provides an overview of the Khotan antiquities trade in the period, identifies the current locations of the material Skrine photographed, and focuses on the Skrine Collection now housed in the British Museum and British Libraries. The descriptive review of the manuscripts in the collection provides examples of how such material came to be divided amongst several repositories and cautions users not to make undocumented assumptions about provenance.

Nomads and Settlement: New Perspectives in the Archaeology of Mongolia,
by Daniel C. Waugh 97

Older misunderstandings about the role of settlements in the life of Inner Asian pastoralists are now being challenged by a great deal of new archaeological data. The article reviews a broad range of work on settlement sites in “greater Mongolia” (that is, the territory of the current republic and adjoining areas in Russia and China).

Book notices 125

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