Over 2,300-Year-Old Silk Scrolls Return Home to China! 🇨🇳📜

Hey there, history buffs! 🏺 Guess what? Two super ancient silk scrolls that are over 2,300 years old have just returned to Beijing! Talk about a blast from the past! 🌟

What’s the Story?

Back in 1942, during an excavation in Changsha, a city in central China’s Hunan Province, archaeologists discovered three amazing silk manuscripts at a place called Zidanku. These weren’t just any old scrolls—they date all the way back to the Warring States period (that’s from 475 to 221 BC)! 😲 They’re the only known silk manuscripts from that time. How cool is that?

The Long Journey

Unfortunately, in 1946, these precious scrolls were taken to the United States without permission. For over 70 years, they were kept at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art.

Coming Home at Last

But here’s the good news! 🎉 A team from China’s National Cultural Heritage Administration recently traveled to the U.S. and brought back the second and third volumes of the manuscripts. These two scrolls are called the “Wuxing Ling” and the “Gongshou Zhan.” They arrived safely at Beijing Capital International Airport on Sunday morning. 🛬

What’s Next?

After some careful inspection, the scrolls will be sent to a special cultural relics warehouse. And guess what? You can see them yourself soon! They’ll be on display at the National Museum of China in July. 🏛️ So if you’re in Beijing this summer, make sure to check out these incredible pieces of history!

Why Is This Important?

These silk manuscripts are like time capsules that give us a peek into ancient Chinese civilization. They help us understand the thoughts, art, and culture from over 2,000 years ago. Bringing them back to China means they can be studied and appreciated by people in their homeland. 🌏

Final Thoughts

History isn’t just about the past—it’s a bridge to our future. These manuscripts returning home is a big deal for cultural heritage and shows how important it is to protect and honor ancient treasures. 🧭

Stay curious, and keep exploring the amazing world of history! 📚✨

Reference(s):

Ancient silk manuscripts returned by US museum arrive in Beijing

cgtn.com