Hey there! 📖 Have you ever wondered what the world’s oldest book made of silk looks like? Well, great news! Parts of the 2,300-year-old Chu Silk Manuscripts have finally returned to China after being away for 77 years! 🎉
What are the Chu Silk Manuscripts?
The Chu Silk Manuscripts are ancient texts written on silk cloth from the Chu State during the Warring States Period in China. That’s over 2,000 years ago! 🌟 They are the oldest known texts on fabric discovered anywhere in the world.
Why are they important?
These manuscripts are super special because they give us a glimpse into ancient Chinese culture, stories, and traditions. One of the manuscripts, called the “Four Seasons Almanac,” tells a fascinating creation myth about how the four seasons came to be! 🌸☀️🍁❄️
The Adventure of the Manuscripts
Back in 1942, these silk manuscripts were discovered in a tomb in Changsha City, in China’s Hunan Province. But in 1946, they were illegally taken to the United States. 😢 For many years, they were kept in a museum far away from their home.
Coming Back Home
On Friday, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art in the U.S. handed back parts of the manuscripts to China’s National Cultural Heritage Administration. This means Chinese scholars and people like you can learn more about these amazing artifacts! 🇨🇳✨
Why is this Exciting?
With the manuscripts back in China, we can better understand ancient stories and how people lived long ago. Isn’t it cool to think about how people over 2,000 years ago created stories about the world? 🌍
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
