Author Topic: Qigexing Temple ruins along silk road reveal Buddhism’s past in China  (Read 4239 times)

icy

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Since 2012, archaeologists have been working on a two-year project at the Qigexing Temple ruins in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous region. As an important crossroads on the northern silk road, the site is crucial to study how Buddhism developed in China.

After 1700 years of natural erosion and rampaged by war, this is what remains of the Qigexing Buddhist Temple, also know as the"Seven-Stars Buddhist Temple Ruins".
Located in the South west of Yanqi, the temple cave compound is believed to have been a major religious center along the northern route of the Silk Road.
And archaeologists have been trying decipher its role in spreading Buddhism in China by working underneath the ruins.

Wu Weisheng, Director of Yanqi Cultural Relics Institutes, said, "The wall paintings found in this cave are very similar to the ones found in the Kizil Cave. They mainly feature Buddhist jakata. From the architecture and painting styles we hope to see how Buddhism developed in China and how it influenced local cultures."
Work conducted at the site in the past few decades has already proven to quite promising with some inspiring discoveries.

For example this script discovered in 1975 is the earliest playtext known in China.
Unfortunately, most of the cultural relics were looted by foreign explorers in the early 1900s.
The two-year long project at Qigexing Buddhist Temple Ruins will end in September and hopefully archaeologists will be able to reveal more to the public about this ancient temple.

Kim Hyun Jae

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Re: Qigexing Temple ruins along silk road reveal Buddhism’s past in China
« Reply #1 on: January 16, 2014, 05:51:06 AM »
I like to read about ancients findings especially related to the Silk Road, China and Buddhism.

This is an interesting link: http://mongolschinaandthesilkroad.blogspot.com/2014_01_01_archive.html where we can resources on the ruins along the ancient Silk Road and the towns related to them.

I hope these archaeologist will be able to find further clues to the origins of the wall murals, the artists or artifacts to be displayed with its history in the museum to share to the public.
 

Jessie Fong

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Re: Qigexing Temple ruins along silk road reveal Buddhism’s past in China
« Reply #2 on: January 16, 2014, 11:26:53 AM »
Ancient towns along the famous Silk Road/Route were influenced by the traders plying that route. With trade and commerce, along came the influence of religion.  And there were artisans and other gifted people who contributed to the art scene.  Thus excavations have revealed beautiful rock carvings and paintings in caves and even sculptures.