On October 26, a significant international academic conference titled “New Developments in Nestorian Studies” was held in Turpan, Xinjiang, drawing numerous scholars from around the world.
At the Nestorian monastery site located west of Turpan, Professor Erika Hunter from the University of Cambridge expressed her awe at the abundance of manuscript fragments found there. “This site has such rich documents, and various ethnic groups have lived here. It truly lets us feel the history of Turpan; it’s a unique site that deserves recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage site,” she remarked.
The study of Turpan, a multifaceted discipline that explores the ancient region’s history, culture, art, and social structure, has its roots tracing back to the early 20th century. Western and Eastern explorers uncovered a wealth of precious artifacts and manuscripts in this area, providing invaluable resources for scholars interested in the cultural history of Turpan.
With its rich historical and cultural resources, Turpan offers countless artifacts for academic exploration. The increasing interest from renowned universities, research institutions, and experts around the globe signals that this once “niche” field is gaining traction.
The conference focused on “New Developments in Nestorian Studies,” featuring 56 experts from 47 institutions across nine countries and regions, including Germany, the UK, and Japan. They gathered to share recent archaeological findings from the Nestorian monastery site and to discuss new achievements, directions, and collaborations in the field of international Nestorian studies and Turpan studies.
In recent years, Turpan has conducted archaeological excavations at several ancient cultural sites, including the Yanghai Cemetery, the Gai Cemetery, and the ancient city of Gaochang, and has successfully hosted over ten international academic seminars. Ke Yisel Kyuom, Deputy Secretary of the Turpan Municipal Committee and Mayor, emphasized that the study of Turpan is a cultural hallmark of the region and expressed a commitment to further promoting its significance in the modern era.
Turpan studies, often seen as a sister discipline to Dunhuang studies, are becoming a focus of international attention. Just like Dunhuang studies, they have yielded rich results, attracting scholars from both domestic and international circles.
Professor Erika Hunter affirmed that Turpan is home to many precious historical documents and abundant archaeological sites, describing it as a treasure trove of history. “The study of Turpan is the key to unlocking this treasure,” she added.
Meanwhile, Professor Peter Zimmer from the Brandenburg Academy of Sciences, who has conducted multiple research investigations in Turpan, remarked upon the region’s long history as an international city. “This magical place has preserved numerous valuable documents that bear witness to a time when diverse cultures and religions coexisted here,” he stated, adding that Turpan holds a special place in his heart.
Today, Turpan studies are recognized as a focal point in the international academic community. Scholars globally are engaging in conferences and exchange activities to discuss the latest research findings and trends in Turpan studies, infusing new energy into this field.
The recent conference served as a vital “bridge” for international academic exchange and cooperation. Participants included officials like Party member and Deputy Director of the Xinjiang Cultural Relics Bureau, Dang Zhihao, who noted that this conference marks a significant milestone in the development of Turpan studies and serves as a grand event for international academic exchange in Nestorian studies.
During the conference, experts visited the Nestorian monastery site to observe the latest research developments firsthand. Joint excavations by Sun Yat-sen University and research institutes from Xinjiang in 2021 and 2023 unearthed numerous paper manuscripts of Buddhist texts, Taoist scriptures, and Nestorian documents, written in various languages, including Chinese, Syriac, Uighur, and Sogdian. These findings are regarded as precious samples for Nestorian studies and critical materials for Turpan studies, garnering considerable attention from scholars worldwide.
Liu Wenshuo, a professor at Sun Yat-sen University and project lead for the excavation at the Nestorian monastery site, stated that the rich remains and artifacts found there provide detailed resources for researching Nestorian life in the Middle Ages, the history of Nestorianism, and the cultural exchanges along the Silk Road. He expressed hope for more international experts to join future research efforts.
Since the establishment of the Turpan Studies Institute in August 2005, six international academic conferences have been held, greatly enhancing collaboration between Chinese scholars and their counterparts worldwide in the field of Turpan studies.
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