Collection of Papers on Methods of Studying Excavated Documents (First Series)

Author: Ye Guoliang, Zheng Jixiong, and Xu Fuchang (editors)
Publisher: Lianjing Press
Publication Date:
Features: Over the past century, research on unearthed documents in China, such as the study of the Mawangdui silk manuscripts in Changsha and the research on unearthed bamboo slips and silk fragments, particularly the bamboo slips from the No. 1 tomb at Guodian and the Warring States Chu bamboo slips preserved at the Shanghai Museum, have sparked a trend in academic research across East and West. Scholars from various countries have actively engaged in epigraphy, dating, and exploring the intellectual properties of these texts. In just three decades, academic circles in both Taiwan and mainland China, Japan, North America, and Europe have held numerous seminars, published research papers, and established research organizations focused on "Bamboo Slip Studies." However, due to the massive influx of newly unearthed documents, scholars have primarily focused on interpreting the texts, often neglecting reflection on research methods. As a result, while there has been a wealth of research output, many detours have been taken. In 2002, Professor Zheng Jixiong proposed the "Research on Methods of Studying Unearthed Documents" project at the East Asian Civilizations Research Center at National Taiwan University. He invited fellow scholars to discuss research methods and methodologies, aiming both to call for experts' attention to this field and to guide young researchers. This collection of essays is a outcome of that project. We have held three thematic academic seminars and two center-based academic lectures at the center, inviting over ten scholars from mainland China, Hong Kong, the United States, and Japan to present their research findings. Finally, fourteen papers were selected from the participants' contributions and compiled into this book. The book is divided into six sections: "Methods and Methodologies," "Guodian Chu Bamboo Slips," "Shanghai Museum Bamboo Slips," "Stone Inscriptions," "Archaeology," and "Bamboo Slip Chronology." The authors include Ye Guoliang, Ji Xusheng, Lin Qiping, Xu Fuchang, Tokio Fukuda, Zhang Guangyu, Kenji Takeda, Yuichi Asano, Liao Mingchun, Xu Shaohua, Zhao Chao, Feng Shi, and Xia Hanyi. This collection of essays is titled "Volume 1," and we hope to continue compiling future volumes under the titles "Volume 2" and "Volume 3."