Two volumes of the 2,300-year-old Zidanku Silk Manuscripts, China’s oldest known silk books dating to 300 BC, were returned from the Smithsonian Institution after 79 years abroad. Initially excavated illegally in Changsha in 1942, they were later removed from China. Their repatriation followed diplomatic efforts and the Smithsonian's ethical returns policy. The manuscripts, invaluable for studying ancient Chinese culture and cosmology, will debut publicly in Beijing in July. Negotiations continue for the return of the remaining volume.

 In a historic moment for cultural heritage preservation, two volumes of the 2,300-year-old Zidanku Silk Manuscripts were repatriated to China from the United States in the early hours of Sunday. These manuscripts, considered the oldest known silk books in China, date back to approximately 300 BC during the Warring States Period, making them over a century older than the famed Dead Sea Scrolls. Their return marks the end of a 79-year journey abroad.

The manuscripts, designated Volumes II and III of a three-volume set, were returned from the National Museum of Asian Art, part of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. However, Volume I, the most complete of the three, remains under private ownership by the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation. According to China's state broadcaster CCTV, discussions are underway to facilitate the return of this final volume.

Illicit Excavation and Journey Abroad

The Zidanku Silk Manuscripts were originally unearthed in 1942 from a tomb in Zidanku, located in the city of Changsha, Hunan Province, central China. The excavation was illegal, and the artifacts were initially acquired by a Chinese collector. In 1946, they were illicitly removed from China by American collector John Hadley Cox. Decades later, fragments of the manuscripts were gifted to the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art in 1992.

Diplomatic Efforts Lead to Return

The repatriation of the manuscripts was the result of diplomatic negotiations initiated by China's National Cultural Heritage Administration. The Smithsonian Institution's adoption of a new ethical returns policy in 2022, which advocates for the repatriation of artifacts that would not meet modern standards of acquisition, paved the way for this historic agreement. The formal transfer agreement was signed on May 10, followed by a ceremony at the Chinese Embassy in Washington on Friday.

China’s ambassador to the United States, Xie Feng, highlighted the significance of the manuscripts' return, calling it a milestone in China-US collaboration on cultural heritage. “The return of the Zidanku manuscripts reflects a national revival, as lost treasures of Chinese civilisation make their way home,” Xie remarked. He also noted that nearly 600 artifacts had been returned from the US to China, including over 40 items this year alone.

Cultural and Historical Significance

The Zidanku Silk Manuscripts are believed to contain ritual or divinatory texts, possibly used by ancient shamans. Scholars consider them essential for understanding early Chinese script, religion, cosmology, and intellectual history. Professor Li Ling from Peking University likened their importance to the Dead Sea Scrolls in the West, emphasizing their role in elucidating ancient Chinese knowledge systems and cultural beliefs.

“The Dead Sea Scrolls are foundational to understanding the religious roots of Judaism and Christianity,” Li explained in an interview with CCTV. “Similarly, the Zidanku manuscripts are vital to Chinese civilisation, offering insights into our ancestors’ understanding of the cosmos and their daily lives.”

The manuscripts reportedly reference legendary figures such as Fuxi and Nuwa, who are significant in Chinese mythology and cosmology. Their contents provide rare glimpses into the spiritual worldview of ancient Chinese society, reinforcing their value as a cornerstone of China’s cultural heritage.

Public Display in Beijing

The two returned volumes are set to make their public debut in July at the National Museum of China in Beijing. This long-awaited exhibition will offer scholars and the general public an opportunity to connect with these ancient artifacts, which symbolize not only the resilience of Chinese culture but also the growing global commitment to cultural restitution.

As efforts continue to secure the return of Volume I, the Zidanku Silk Manuscripts stand as a testament to international cooperation in preserving humanity's shared heritage. Their homecoming signifies a moment of cultural pride and a renewed commitment to safeguarding the treasures of the past for future generations.

This article is based on reporting from the SCMP