International Dunhuang Project

International Dunhuang Project is a groundbreaking initiative that aims to conserve, research, and make accessible the vast array of Dunhuang manuscripts and artifacts, which were discovered in the Mogao Caves near Dunhuang, Gansu Province, China. The project involves collaboration between institutions such as the British Library, Victoria and Albert Museum, National Museum of China, and Russian Academy of Sciences. It has also received support from organizations like the Ford Foundation, Getty Conservation Institute, and UNESCO. The project's work is closely tied to the research of scholars like Wang Yuanlu, Aurel Stein, and Paul Pelliot, who have contributed significantly to the field of Dunhuang studies.

Introduction

The International Dunhuang Project was established in 1994, with the primary goal of preserving and studying the Dunhuang manuscripts, which include Buddhist scriptures, Taoist texts, and other historical documents. The project is based at the British Library in London and has partnerships with institutions like the Bibliothèque nationale de France, National Library of China, and Russian State Library. The project's scope extends to the conservation of artifacts from the Silk Road, including those from Khotan, Kucha, and Turpan. Researchers like Mary Boyce, Walter Bruno Henning, and Nicholas Sims-Williams have made significant contributions to the understanding of the Dunhuang manuscripts and their historical context, which includes the Tang Dynasty, Ming Dynasty, and Qing Dynasty.

History

The history of the International Dunhuang Project is closely tied to the discovery of the Dunhuang manuscripts in the early 20th century by Wang Yuanlu, a Chinese monk. The manuscripts were later acquired by Aurel Stein, a Hungarian-British explorer, and Paul Pelliot, a French sinologist, who recognized their significance and worked to preserve them. The project has since grown to include collaborations with institutions like the Hermitage Museum, National Palace Museum, and Tokyo National Museum. The project's history is also linked to the work of scholars like Edouard Chavannes, Sylvain Lévi, and Henri Maspero, who have studied the Dunhuang manuscripts and their relationship to Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism.

Objectives

The primary objectives of the International Dunhuang Project are to conserve, research, and make accessible the Dunhuang manuscripts and artifacts. The project aims to achieve this through collaborations with institutions like the Getty Research Institute, Freer Gallery of Art, and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery. The project also seeks to promote the study of Dunhuang studies and its related fields, including Sinology, Tibetology, and Central Asian studies. Researchers like Anne Birrell, Christopher Beckwith, and Roderick Whitfield have contributed to the project's objectives, which include the study of Dunhuang art, Dunhuang music, and Dunhuang literature.

Conservation Efforts

The International Dunhuang Project has undertaken significant conservation efforts to preserve the Dunhuang manuscripts and artifacts. The project has worked with institutions like the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts, Canadian Conservation Institute, and Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Materials. The project's conservation efforts have also involved collaborations with experts like Nancy Bell, Vincent Daniels, and Paul Hepworth, who have developed techniques for the preservation of parchment, paper, and silk artifacts. The project's work is closely tied to the conservation of other cultural heritage sites, including the Terracotta Army, Great Wall of China, and Potala Palace.

Digital Archive

The International Dunhuang Project has created a digital archive of the Dunhuang manuscripts and artifacts, which is accessible online. The digital archive includes high-quality images of the manuscripts and artifacts, as well as detailed descriptions and translations. The project has worked with institutions like the Internet Archive, Google Arts & Culture, and Digital Public Library of America to make the digital archive available to researchers and the public. The digital archive is an important resource for scholars like Timothy Brook, Mark Edward Lewis, and Michael Loewe, who are studying the Dunhuang manuscripts and their historical context.

International Collaboration

The International Dunhuang Project is a collaborative effort that involves institutions and researchers from around the world. The project has partnerships with institutions like the University of California, Berkeley, Harvard University, and University of Oxford, as well as organizations like the International Council on Monuments and Sites and World Heritage Centre. The project's international collaboration has facilitated the exchange of ideas and expertise, and has contributed to a greater understanding of the Dunhuang manuscripts and their significance. Researchers like Peter Kornicki, Susan Whitfield, and Colin Mackerras have benefited from the project's international collaboration, which has enabled them to study the Dunhuang manuscripts in the context of Asian studies, cultural heritage, and world history. Category:International Dunhuang Project