Treasured Relics Found in Dunhuang CavesChinese archaeologists recently reported new finds in caves of the Mogao Grottos in Dunhuang, northwest China's Gansu Province.The archaeologists, led by professor Peng Jinzhang with Wuhan University, excavated remnants of sutra in minority languages, a few of which are believed to be the only existing copies in the world, Wenhui Daily reported Monday. After searching in 243 caves in the northern part of the famous grottos, Peng and his colleagues also found lots of Persian coins, Xixia coins and intact wooden printing types in Uygur, earthenware articles and textile pieces, the Shanghai-based newspaper said. Also known as Thousand Buddha Caves, the Dunhuang Grottos boosts a huge reserve of cultural treasures. The 492 caves in Dunhuang's southern part were regarded as the world's largest stone cave library for its enormous preservation of Buddhist frescos, statues and precious sutras. China has listed the excavation of those caves as a priority project for social scientific research in the next five years. Peng compiled all the latest achievements into a book which will be published soon, the newspaper said. |
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