Returned Dunhuang Relics Under Good ProtectionEight Dunhuang relics donated by a Japanese three years ago are now under protection.Shi Pingting, an expert of Dunhuang Studies, said that the eight relics are of great value in studying conditions and custom, Buddhist art and the development of the handicraft industry in Dunhuang. Among the returned relics is a list of expenditures on alcoholic drinks by feudal officials during the Song Dynasty (960- 1279). The returned piece tallies with one document kept at the Dunhuang Research Academy. One more part of the list is still kept overseas, experts said. An official in charge of the Dunhuang Research Academy said that overseas scholars are welcome to visit Dunhuang and to study these returned relics. The Sutras Cave of the Dunhuang Grottoes was said to have been accidentally found by a Taoist priest when he was clearing sand from the No. 16 grotto in 1900. The cave contains more than 50,000 relics including Buddhist Sutras, documents, exquisite embroidery objects, dating back between the 4th century and 11th century. Many explorers from Western countries came to Dunhuang Grottoes and stole a large number of relics. Most of the stolen relics are kept in museums or in the hands of individuals in a dozen countries. Feng Zhiwen, an expert of Dunhuang Studies expressed the hope that more Dunhuang relics will be returned, so that a complete museum showcasing Dunhuang's treasures will be on display for everyone to see. |
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