In a landmark moment for cultural preservation, China's earliest known silk manuscripts—the Zidanku Silk Manuscripts of Wuxing Ling (Volume II) and Gongshou Zhan (Volume III)—have been officially added to the Hunan Museum's collection in Changsha. Dating back to the Warring States Period (475-221 BC), these texts represent a rare window into ancient Chinese philosophy, astronomy, and governance.
Discovered in 1942, the manuscripts were illegally transported to the United States in 1946. Their repatriation after 79 years marks a significant achievement in efforts to reclaim culturally significant artifacts. Museum Director Li Xiaodong called the return "a reconnection with our ancestors' wisdom," emphasizing their value for understanding early Chinese thought.
The fragile texts, written in ink on silk, contain some of the oldest surviving examples of Chinese calligraphy. Researchers anticipate new insights into pre-Qin dynasty society as conservation work begins. The museum plans a special exhibition in late 2024, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the discovery of the Mawangdui Han tombs nearby.
